["\\\"Try\tto\tstay\ttuned,\tHornblower.\tWould\tyou\tlike\tto\tdrive\tinto\ttown?\tYou haven't\tseen\tanything\tbut\tthis\tlittle\tslice.\tIf\tI\tsuddenly\tfound\tmyself\tback in,\tsay,\tthe\t1700s,\tI'd\twant\tto\texplore\ta\tlittle,\twatch\tpeople.\tIt\tonly\ttakes a\tcouple\tof\thours.\tWhat\tdo\tyou\tsay?\\\"\tThe\tmoodiness\tleft\this\teyes,\tand he\tsmiled.\t\\\"Can I\tdrive?\\\" \\\"Not\ton\tyour\tlife.\\\"\tShe\tlaughed\tand\ttossed\ther\thair\tback.\t\\\"We'll\tstop\tback at\tthe\tcabin\tfor\tmy\tpurse.\\\" It\ttook\tmore\tthan\tthirty\tminutes\tto\tget\tto\tthe\thighway\tthrough\ta\tnarrow pass\twhere\tthe\tLand\tRover\thad\tpowered\tits\tway\tthrough\tthe\tmud.\tWhen they\treached\tthe\thighway\tCal\tsaw\tthe\tvehicles\tthat\thad\tfascinated\thim on\ttelevision.\tThey\trumbled\tnoisily\talong.\tHe\tshook\this\thead\tas\tLibby jockeyed\taggressively\tfor\tposition. \\\"I\tcould\tteach\tyou\tto\tfly\ta\tjet\tbuggy\tin\tan\thour.\\\" The\twind\tfelt\twonderful\ton\ther\tface.\tThey\thad\ttoday,\tand\tperhaps\ta\tday or\ttwo\tmore.\tShe\twasn't\tgoing\tto\tlose\ta\tmoment\tof\tit. \\\"Is\tthat\ta\tcompliment?\\\" \\\"Yeah.\tYou're\tstill\tusing\twhat-gasoline?\\\" \\\"That's\tright.\\\" \\\"Amazing.\\\" \\\"Being\tsmug\tand\tsuperior\tsuits\tyou-especially\tsince\tyou\tdidn't\teven know\thow\tto\tturn\tmy\tcar\ton.\\\" \\\"I'd've\tfigured\tit\tout.\\\"\tHe\treached\tout\tto\ttouch\tthe\tflying\tstrands\tof\ther hair.\t\\\"If\tI\twere\thome\tI'd\tfly\tyou\tto\tParis\tfor\tlunch.\tHave\tyou\tever\tbeen there?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tShe\ttried\tnot\tto\tthink\ttoo\tdeeply\tabout\tthe\tromance\tof\tit.\t\\\"We'll have\tto\tsettle\tfor\tpizza\tin\tOregon.\\\"","have\tto\tsettle\tfor\tpizza\tin\tOregon.\\\" \\\"Sounds\tgreat\tto\tme.\tYou\tknow,\tthe\tstrangest\tthing\tis\tthe\tsky.\tThere's nothing\tin\tit.\\\"\tA\tcar\twhizzed\tby,\tmuffler\tcoughing,\tradio\tblaring.\t\\\"What was\tthat?\\\" \\\"A\tcar.\\\" \\\"That's\tdebatable,\tbut\tI\tmeant\twhat\twas\tthe\tnoise?\\\" \\\"Music.\tHard\trock.\\\"\tShe\treached\tover\tto\tturn\ton\tthe\tradio.\t\\\"That's\tnot\tas hard,\tbut\tit's\tstill\trock.\\\" \\\"It's\tgood.\\\"\tWith\tthe\tmusic\tplaying\tin\this\thead,\the\twatched\tthe\tbuildings they\tpassed.\tNeat\tsingle-family\thomes,\tchunky\tapartment\tcomplexes and\ta\tspreading\tsingle-level\tshopping\tcenter.\tThe\ttraffic\tthickened\tas they\tcame\tcloser\tto\tthe\tcity.\tHe\tcould\tsee\tthe\thigh\trectangular\tforms\tof office\tbuildings\tand\tcondos.\tIt\twas\ta\tcluttered\tand,\tto\this\teyes,\tawkward skyline,\tbut\tit\twas\toddly\tcompelling.\tHere\twere\tpeople,\there\tlife continued. Libby\teased\tdown\tthe\tcurving\tramp\tand\theaded\tdowntown.\t\\\"There's\ta nice\tItalian\tplace,\tvery\ttraditional.\tRed\tchecked\ttablecloths,\tcandles\tin bottles,\thand-tossed\tpizza.\\\" Cal\tgave\tan\tabsent\tnod.\tThere\twere\tpeople\twalking\tthe\tsidewalk,\tsome old,\tsome\tyoung,\tsome\tplain,\tsome\tpretty.\tThere\twas\tnoise\tfrom\tcar engines,\tand\tthe\toccasional\tbad-tempered\tblare\tof\ta\thorn.\tThe\tair\twas warmer\there\tand\tsmelled\tslightly\tof\texhaust.\tFor\thim\tit\twas\ta\tpicture\tout of\tan\told\tbook\tcome\tto\tlife. Libby\tpulled\tinto\ta\tgraveled\tlot\tnext\tto\ta\tsquat\twhite-and-green\tbuilding. The\tneon\tsign\tacross\tthe\tfront\twindow\tsaid\tRocky's. \\\"Well,\tit's\tnot\tParis.\\\" \\\"It's\tfine,\\\"\the\tmurmured,\tbut\the\tcontinued\tto\ttwist\this\thead\tand\tstare. \\\"It\tmust\tfeel\tlike\tstepping\tthrough\tthe\tlooking\tglass.\\\" \\\"Hmm.\tOh.\\\"\tHe\tremembered\tthe\tbook,\tone\the'd\tread\tas\ta\tteenager.","\\\"Hmm.\tOh.\\\"\tHe\tremembered\tthe\tbook,\tone\the'd\tread\tas\ta\tteenager. \\\"Something\tlike\tthat.\tMore\tlike\tsomething\tfrom\tH.\tG.\tWells.\\\" \\\"It's\tnice\tto\tknow\tliterature\thas\tsurvived.\tAre\tyou\thungry?\\\" \\\"I\twas\tborn\thungry.\\\"\tOnce\tagain\the\tfought\toff\ta\tdarkening\tmood.\tShe was\ttrying,\tand\tso\tcould\the. The\trestaurant\twas\tdim,\tnearly\tempty,\tand\tthe\tair\tsimmered\twith\tspices. In\tthe\tcorner\twas\ta\tjukebox\tpumping\tout\ta\tcurrent\tTop\t40\thit.\tAfter\ta glance\tat\ta\tsign\tthat\tread\tPlease\tSeat\tYourself,\tLibby\tled\tCal\tto\ta\tcorner booth.\t\\\"The\tpizza's\treally\twonderful\there.\tHave\tyou\thad\tpizza\tbefore?\\\" He\tflicked\ta\tfinger\tat\tthe\thardened\tcandle\twax\ton\tthe\tbottle\tin\tthe\tcenter of\tthe\ttable.\t\\\"Some\tthings\ttranscend\ttime.\tPizza's\tone\tof\tthem.\\\" The\twaitress\ttoddled\tover,\ta\tplump\tyoung\twoman\tin\ta\tbright\tred\tbib apron\tthat\thad\tRocky's\tand\ta\tfew\tsplashes\tof\ttomato\tsauce\tdashed across\tthe\tfront.\tShe\tplaced\ttwo\tpaper\tnapkins\tbeside\tplace\tmats decorated\twith\tmaps\tof\tItaly. \\\"One\tlarge,\\\"\tLibby\tsaid,\ttaking\tCal's\tappetite\tinto\taccount.\t\\\"Extra\tcheese and\tpepperoni.\tWould\tyou\tlike\ta\tbeer?\\\" \\\"Yeah.\\\"\tHe\ttore\ta\tcorner\tfrom\tthe\tnapkin\tand\trolled\tit\tthoughtfully between\this\tthumb\tand\tforefinger. \\\"One\tbeer\tand\tone\tdiet\tcola.\\\" \\\"Why\tis\teveryone\there\ton\ta\tdiet?\\\"\tCal\tasked\tbefore\tthe\twaitress\twas\tout of\tearshot.\t\\\"Most\tof\tthe\tads\tdeal\twith\tlosing\tweight,\tquenching\tthirst\tand getting\tclean.\\\" Libby\tignored\tthe\tquick\tcurious\tlook\tthe\twaitress\tshot\tover\ther\tshoulder. \\\"Sociologically\tour\tculture\tis\tobsessed\twith\thealth,\tnutrition\tand physique.\tWe\tcount\tcalories,\tpump\tiron\tand\teat\ta\tlot\tof\tyogurt.\tAnd pizza,\\\"\tshe\tadded\twith\ta\tgrin.\t\\\"Advertising\treflects\tcurrent\ttrends.\\\" \\\"I\tlike\tyour\tphysique.\\\"","Libby\tcleared\ther\tthroat.\t\\\"Thanks.\\\" \\\"And\tyour\tface,\\\"\the\tadded,\tsmiling.\t\\\"And\tthe\tway\tyour\tvoice\tsounds when\tyou're\tembarrassed.\\\" She\tlet\tout\ta\tlong,\twindy\tsigh.\t\\\"Why\tdon't\tyou\tlisten\tto\tthe\tmusic?\\\" \\\"The\tmusic\tstopped.\\\" \\\"We\tcan\tput\tmore\ton.\\\" \\\"On\twhat?\\\" \\\"The\tjukebox.\\\"\tEnjoying\therself,\tLibby\trose\tand\textended\ta\thand\tto\thim. \\\"Come\ton,\tyou\tcan\tpick\ta\tsong.\\\" Cal\tstood\tover\tthe\tcolorful\tmachine,\tscanning\tthe\ttitles.\t\\\"This\tone,\\\"\the decided.\t\\\"And\tthis\tone.\tAnd\tthis\tone.\tHow\tdoes\tit\twork?\\\" \\\"First\tyou\tneed\tsome\tchange.\\\" \\\"I've\thad\tenough\tchange\tfor\ta\twhile,\tthanks.\\\" \\\"No,\tI\tmean\tchange.\tQuarters.\\\"\tChuckling,\tshe\tdug\tinto\ther\tpurse.\t\\\"Don't they\tuse\tcoins\tin\tthe\ttwenty-third\tcentury?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\tplucked\tthe\tquarter\tfrom\ther\tpalm\tand\texamined\tit.\t\\\"But\tI've heard\tof\tthem.\\\" \\\"We\tuse\tthem\taround\there,\toften\twith\treckless\tabandon.\\\"\tTaking\tthe quarter\tback,\tshe\tdropped\tit\tand\ttwo\tmore\tinto\tthe\tslot.\t\\\"An\teclectic selection,\tHornblower.\\\"\tThe\tmusic\tdrifted\tout,\tslow\tand\tromantic. \\\"Which\tis\tthis?\\\" \\\"'The\tRose.'\tIt's\ta\tballad-a\tstandard,\tI\tsuppose,\teven\ttoday.\\\" \\\"Do\tyou\tlike\tto\tdance?\\\" \\\"Yes.\tI\tdon't\toften,\tbut-\\\"\tHer\twords\ttrailed\taway\tas\the\tgathered\ther\tclose. \\\"Cal-\\\"","\\\"Cal-\\\" \\\"Shh.\\\"\tHe\trubbed\this\tcheek\tagainst\ther\thair.\t\\\"I\twant\tto\thear\tthe\twords.\\\" They\tdanced-swayed,\treally-as\tthe\tmusic\tdrifted\tthrough\tthe\tspeakers.\tA mother\twith\ttwo\tsquabbling\tchildren\trested\ther\telbow\ton\ther\ttable\tand watched\tthem\twith\tpleasure\tand\tenvy.\tIn\tthe\tglassed-in\tkitchen\ta\tman with\ta\tbushy\tmustache\ttossed\tpizza\tdough\tin\tquick,\thigh\ttwirls. \\\"It's\tsad.\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tShe\tcould\tdream\tlike\tthis,\twith\ther\thead\tcushioned\ton\this\tshoulder and\ther\tbody\tmoving\tto\ttheir\tinner\trhythm.\t\\\"It's\tabout\thow\tlove\tsurvives.\\\" The\twords\tfloated\taway.\tHer\teyes\twere\tshut,\ther\tarms\tstill\taround\thim when\tthe\tnext\tselection\tblasted\tout\twith\ta\tprimeval\tscream\tand\ta thundering\tdrum\troll. \\\"What\tabout\tthis\tone?\\\" \\\"It's\tabout\tbeing\tyoung.\\\"\tShe\tdrew\taway,\tembarrassed,\twhen\tshe\tsaw the\tsmiles\tand\tstares\tof\tthe\tother\tpatrons.\t\\\"We\tshould\tsit\tdown.\\\" \\\"I\twant\tto\tdance\twith\tyou\tagain.\\\" \\\"Some\tother\ttime.\tPeople\tdon't\tusually\tdance\tin\tpizza\tparlors.\\\" \\\"Okay.\\\"\tObligingly\the\twalked\tback\tacross\tthe\troom\tto\ttheir\ttable.\tTheir drinks\twere\twaiting.\tAs\tLibby\thad\twith\tthe\tdrink\tin\this\tgalley,\tCal\tfound enormous\tcomfort\tin\tthe\tfamiliar\ttaste\tof\tAmerican\tbeer.\t\\\"Just\tlike home.\\\" \\\"I'm\tsorry\tI\tdidn't\tbelieve\tyou\tat\tfirst.\\\" \\\"Babe,\t\/\tdidn't\tbelieve\tme\tat\tfirst.\\\"\tIn\ta\tnatural\tgesture\the\treached\tacross the\ttable\tto\ttake\ther\thand.\t\\\"Tell\tme,\twhat\tdo\tpeople\tdo\there\ton\ta\tdate?\\\" \\\"Well,\tthey-\\\"\tHis\tthumb\twas\tskimming\tover\ther\tknuckles\tin\ta\tway\tthat made\ther\tpulse\tunsteady.\t\\\"They\tgo\tto\tmovies\tor\trestaurants.\\\"","\\\"I\twant\tto\tkiss\tyou\tagain.\\\" Her\teyes\tdarted\tup\tto\this.\t\\\"I\tdon't\treally\tthink-\\\" \\\"Don't\tyou\twant\tme\tto\tkiss\tyou?\\\" \\\"If\tshe\tdoesn't,\\\"\tthe\twaitress\tsaid\tas\tshe\tplopped\ttheir\tpizza\tin\tfront\tof them,\t\\\"I\tget\toff\tat\tfive.\\\" Grinning,\tCal\tslipped\ta\tslice\tof\tpizza\tonto\ta\tpaper\tplate.\t\\\"She's\tvery friendly,\\\"\the\tcommented\tto\tLibby,\t\\\"but\tI\tlike\tyou\tbetter.\\\" \\\"Terrific.\\\"\tShe\ttook\ta\tbite.\t\\\"Are\tyou\talways\tobnoxious?\\\" \\\"Mostly.\tBut\tI\tdo\tlike\tyou,\ta\tlot.\\\"\tHe\twaited\ta\tbeat.\t\\\"Now\tyou're\tsupposed to\tsay\tyou\tlike\tme,\ttoo.\\\" Libby\ttook\tanother\tbite\tand\tchewed\tit\tthoroughly.\t\\\"I'm\tthinking\tabout\tit.\\\" Taking\ther\tnapkin,\tshe\tdabbed\tat\ther\tmouth.\t\\\"I\tlike\tyou\tbetter\tthan anyone\tI've\tmet\tfrom\tthe\ttwenty-third\tcentury.\\\" \\\"Good.\tAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\ttake\tme\tto\tthe\tmovies?\\\" \\\"I\tsuppose\tI\tcould.\\\" \\\"Like\ta\tdate.\\\"\tHe\ttook\ther\thand\tagain. \\\"No.\\\"\tCarefully\tshe\tremoved\tit.\t\\\"Like\tan\texperiment.\tWe'll\tconsider\tit\tpart of\tyour\teducation.\\\" His\tsmile\tspread,\tslow,\teasy\tand\tundoubtedly\tdangerous.\t\\\"I'm\tstill\tgoing to\tkiss\tyou\tgood-night.\\\" It\twas\tdark\twhen\tthey\treturned\tto\tthe\tcabin.\tMore\tthan\ta\tlittle\tfrazzled, Libby\tpushed\topen\tthe\tdoor\tand\ttossed\ther\tpurse\taside. \\\"I\tdid\tnot\tmake\ta\tscene,\\\"\tCal\tinsisted. \\\"I\tdon't\tknow\twhat\tthey\tcall\tbeing\tasked\tto\tleave\ta\ttheater\twhere\tyou come\tfrom,\tbut\taround\there\twe\tcall\tit\tmaking\ta\tscene.\\\"","\\\"I\tsimply\tmade\tsome\tsmall,\tpractical\tcomments\tabout\tthe\tfilm.\tHaven't you\theard\tabout\tfreedom\tof\tspeech?\\\" \\\"Hornblower-\\\"\tStopping\therself\tshe\theld\tup\ta\thand\tand\tturned\tto\tthe cupboard\tto\tget\tthe\tbrandy.\t\\\"Talking\tthroughout\tthe\tpicture\tabout\tit\tbeing a\tcrock\tof\tspace\twaste\tis\tnot\texercising\tthe\tBill\tof\tRights.\tIt's\tbeing rude.\\\" With\ta\tshrug,\the\tplopped\tdown\ton\tthe\tcouch\tand\tpropped\this\tfeet\ton\tthe coffee\ttable.\t\\\"Come\ton,\tLibby,\tall\tthat\tbull\tabout\tcreatures\tfrom\tGalactica invading\tEarth.\tI\thave\ta\tcousin\ton\tGalactica,\tand\the\tdoesn't\thave\ta\tface full\tof\tsuction\tcups.\\\" \\\"I\tshould\thave\tknown\tbetter\tthan\tto\ttake\tyou\tto\ta\tscience-fiction\tmovie.\\\" She\tsipped\tthe\tbrandy.\tThen,\tbecause\tshe\tdecided\tit\twas\tas\tmuch\ther fault\tas\this,\tshe\tpoured\tanother\tsnifter.\t\\\"It\twas\tfiction,\tHornblower. Fantasy.\\\" \\\"Rot.\\\" \\\"All\tright.\\\"\tShe\tpassed\thim\tthe\tsnifter.\t\\\"But\tthere\twere\tpeople\tin\tthe theater\twho\thad\tpaid\tto\twatch\tit.\\\" \\\"How\tabout\tthat\tnonsense\twith\tthe\tcreatures\tsucking\tall\tthe\twater\tout\tof the\thuman\tbody?\tThen\tthere\twas\tthe\tway\tthat\tspace\tjockey\tzipped around\tthe\tgalaxy\tshooting\tlasers.\tDo\tyou\thave\tany\tidea\thow\tcrowded that\tsector\tis?\\\" \\\"No,\tI\tdon't.\\\"\tShe\tsampled\tmore\tbrandy.\t\\\"Tell\tyou\twhat,\tnext\ttime\twe'll\ttry a\tWestern.\tRemind\tme\tnot\tto\tlet\tyou\tturn\ton\tStar\tTrek.\\\" \\\"Star\tTrek's\ta\tclassic,\\\"\the\tsaid,\tand\tsent\ther\tinto\ta\tfit\tof\tgiggles. \\\"Never\tmind.\tYou\tknow,\tI\talmost\tthink\tI'm\tlosing\tmy\tgrip.\tI\tspent\tthe morning\tin\ta\tspaceship\tand\tthe\tafternoon\teating\tpizza\tand\tnot\twatching a\tmovie.\tI\tdon't\tseem\tto\tbe\table\tto\tmake\tsense\tof\tit\tall.\\\" \\\"It'll\tcome\tclear.\\\"\tHe\ttouched\this\tglass\tto\thers\tbefore\tsettling\this\tarm around\ther\tshoulders.\tIt\twas\tcomforting,\tthe\tglow\tof\tthe\tlamplight,\tthe","around\ther\tshoulders.\tIt\twas\tcomforting,\tthe\tglow\tof\tthe\tlamplight,\tthe warmth\tof\tthe\tbrandy,\tthe\tscent\tof\tthe\twoman.\tHis\twoman,\tCal\tthought,\tif for\tonly\ta\tmoment.\t\\\"I\tlike\tthis\tbetter\tthan\tthe\tmovies.\tTell\tme\tabout Liberty\tStone.\\\" \\\"There's\tnot\tmuch.\\\" \\\"Tell\tme,\tso\tI\tcan\ttake\tit\twith\tme.\\\" \\\"I\twas\tborn\there,\tas\tI\ttold\tyou\tbefore.\\\" \\\"In\tthe\tbed\tI\tsleep\tin.\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\"\tShe\tsipped\ther\tbrandy,\twondering\tif\tit\twas\tthat,\tor\tthe\timage\tof him\tin\tthe\told\tbed,\tthat\twarmed\ther.\t\\\"My\tmother\tused\tto\tweave. Blankets,\twall\thangings,\trugs.\tShe\twould\tsell\tthem\tto\tsupplement\twhat my\tfather\tgrew\tin\tthe\tgarden.\\\" \\\"They\twere\tpoor?\\\" \\\"No,\tthey\twere\tchildren\tof\tthe\tsixties.\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tunderstand.\\\" \\\"It's\tdifficult\tto\texplain.\tThey\twanted\tto\tbe\tcloser\tto\tthe\tland,\tcloser\tto themselves.\tIt\twas\ttheir\tpart\tof\ta\trevolution\tagainst\tmaterial\tpower,\tworld violence,\tthe\tentire\tsocial\tstructure\tof\tthe\ttime.\tSo\twe\tlived\there\tand\tmy mother\tbartered\tand\tsold\ther\twork\tin\tthe\tsurrounding\ttowns.\tOne\tday\tan art\tbuyer\ton\ta\tcamping\ttrip\twith\this\tfamily\tcame\tacross\tone\tof\ther tapestries.\\\"\tShe\tsmiled\tinto\ther\tbrandy.\t\\\"The\trest,\tas\tthey\tsay,\tis\thistory.\\\" \\\"Caroline\tStone,\\\"\the\tsaid\tabruptly. \\\"Why,\tyes.\\\" With\ta\tlaugh,\the\tdowned\tthe\tbrandy\tand\treached\tfor\tthe\tbottle\tin\tone smooth\tmotion.\t\\\"Your\tmother's\twork\tis\tin\tmuseums.\\\"\tBemused,\the picked\tup\tthe\tcorner\tof\tthe\tblanket\tbeside\tthem.\t\\\"I've\tseen\tit\tin\tthe Smithsonian.\\\"\tHe\tpoured\tmore\tbrandy\tin\ther\tglass\twhile\tshe\tgaped\tat him.","him. \\\"This\tgets\tstranger\tand\tstranger.\\\"\tShe\tdrank\tagain,\tletting\tthe\tbrandy influence\ther\tsense\tof\tunreality. \\\"It's\tyou\twe\tneed\tto\ttalk\tabout,\tyou\tI\tneed\tto\tunderstand.\tAll\tthese questions.\\\"\tUnable\tto\tsit\tany\tlonger,\tshe\tcupped\tthe\tsnifter\tin\tboth\thands and\tstarted\tto\tpace.\t\\\"The\toddest\tones\tpop\tinto\tmy\tmind.\tI\tkeep remembering\tyou\tspoke\tof\tPhiladelphia\tand\tParis.\tDo\tyou\tknow\twhat that\tmeans?\\\" \\\"What?\\\" \\\"We\tmade\tit.\\\"\tShe\tlifted\tthe\tsnifter\tin\ta\ttoast,\tthen\trecklessly\tdrained\tit. \\\"It's\tstill\tthere,\tall\tof\tit.\tSomehow,\tno\tmatter\thow\tclose\twe\tcame\tto blowing\teverything,\twe\tsurvived.\tThere's\ta\tPhiladelphia\tin\tthe\tfuture, Hornblower,\tand\tthat's\tthe\tmost\twonderful\tthing\tI\tcan\timagine.\\\" Still\tlaughing,\tshe\tspun\tin\ta\tcircle.\t\\\"All\tthese\tyears\tI've\tbeen\tstudying\tthe past,\ttrying\tto\tunderstand\thuman\tnature,\tand\tnow\tI've\thad\ta\tglimpse\tof tomorrow.\tI\tdon't\tknow\thow\tto\tthank\tyou.\\\" Just\tlooking\tat\ther\tleft\this\tstomach\tin\ta\tknot.\tHer\tcheeks\twere\tflushed with\texcitement.\tHer\tbody\twas\tlong\tand\tslim\tand\twonderfully\tgraceful\tas she\tmoved.\tWanting\ther\twas\tno\tlonger\tan\turge,\tit\twas\tan\tobsession. He\tdrew\ta\tlong,\tcareful\tbreath.\t\\\"Glad\tI\tcould\thelp.\\\" \\\"I\twant\tto\tknow\teverything,\tabsolutely\teverything.\tHow\tpeople\tlive,\thow they\tfeel.\tHow\tthey\tcourt\tand\tmake\tlove\tand\tmarry.\tWhat\tgames\tdo\tthe children\tplay?\\\"\tShe\tleaned\tover\tto\tpour\tanother\tinch\tof\tbrandy\tin\ther glass.\t\\\"Are\thot\tdogs\tstill\tthe\tbest\tbet\tat\ta\tbaseball\tgame?\tAre\tMondays still\tthe\thardest\tday\tof\tthe\tweek?\\\" \\\"You'll\thave\tto\tmake\ta\tlist,\\\"\the\ttold\ther.\tHe\twanted\tto\tkeep\ther\ttalking, moving,\tlaughing.\tWatching\ther\tnow,\tanimated,\tbursting\twith\tenthusiasm and\thumor,\twas\tas\tarousing\tas\tbeing\tin\ther\tarms.\t\\\"What\tI\tcan't\tanswer, the\tcomputer\tcan.\\\" \\\"A\tlist.\tOf\tcourse.\tI\tmake\tterrific\tlists.\\\"\tHer\teyes\tglowed\tas\tshe\tlaughed\tat him.\t\\\"I\tknow\tthere\tare\tmore\timportant\tthings\tfor\tme\tto\task.\tNuclear","him.\t\\\"I\tknow\tthere\tare\tmore\timportant\tthings\tfor\tme\tto\task.\tNuclear disarmament,\tworld\tpeace,\ta\tcure\tfor\tcancer\tand\tthe\tcommon\tcold.\tBut\tI want\tto\tknow\tit\tall,\tfrom\tthe\tinconsequential\tto\tthe\tshattering.\\\" Impatiently\tshe\tpushed\ther\thair\tback\tfrom\ther\tface.\tHer\twords\tcouldn't seem\tto\tkeep\tup\twith\ther\tthoughts.\t\\\"Every\tsecond\tI\tthink\tof\tsomething new.\tDo\tpeople\tstill\thave\tSunday\tpicnics?\tHave\twe\tbeaten\tworld\thunger and\thomelessness?\tDo\tall\tmen\tin\tyour\ttime\tkiss\tthe\tway\tyou\tdo?\\\" The\tsnifter\tpaused\thalfway\tto\this\tlips.\tVery\tslowly,\tvery\tdeliberately,\the set\tit\tdown.\t\\\"I\tcan't\tanswer\tthat,\tbecause\tI've\tonly\tpracticed\ton\twomen.\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tknow\twhere\tthat\tcame\tfrom.\\\"\tShe,\ttoo,\tset\tthe\tsnifter\taside,\tthen rubbed\ther\tsuddenly\tdamp\tpalms\ton\tthe\tthighs\tof\ther\tjeans.\t\\\"I\tsuppose I'm\ta\tbit\twired.\\\" \\\"Excuse\tme?\\\" \\\"Nervous,\texcited.\tConfused.\\\"\tShe\tpushed\ther\thands\tthrough\ther\thair. \\\"Oh,\tGod,\tCaleb,\tyou\tconfuse\tme.\tEven\tbefore-before\tall\tthis.\\\" \\\"We're\teven\tthere,\tLibby.\\\" She\tstared\tat\thim.\tHe\thadn't\tmoved,\tbut\tshe\tsaw\tthat\the\thad\ttensed. \\\"That's\todd,\\\"\tshe\tmurmured.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tusually\tconfuse\tanyone.\tNothing seems\tto\tbe\texactly\tthe\tway\tI\texpect\tit\tto\tbe\twith\tyou.\tI\tguess\tI'm\ta coward,\tbecause\tevery\ttime\tyou\tcome\tnear\tme\tI\twant\tto\trun.\\\"\tShe closed\ther\teyes.\t\\\"That's\tnot\ttrue.\tYou\tasked\tme\tonce\tif\tI\twas\tafraid\tof you,\tand\tI\tsaid\tI\twasn't.\tThat's\tnot\ttrue,\teither.\tI\tam\tafraid.\tOf\tyou,\tof\tme, and\tmost\tof\tall\tof\tthinking\tI\tmight\tnever\tfeel\tthis\tway\tagain\twith\tanyone else.\\\"\tShe\tbegan\tto\troam\tthe\troom\tagain,\tpicking\tup\ta\tpillow,\ttossing\tit aside,\tshifting\ta\tlamp.\t\\\"I\twish\tI\tknew\twhat\tto\tdo,\twhat\tto\tsay.\tI\tdon't\thave any\texperience\twith\tthis\tkind\tof\tthing.\tAnd,\tdamn\tit,\tI\twish\tyou'd\tkiss\tme again\tand\tshut\tme\tup.\\\" He\tthought\the\tcould\tfeel\teach\tseparate\tnerve\tin\this\tbody\tstretch.\t\\\"Libby, you\tknow\tI\twant\tyou.\tI\thaven't\tkept\tit\tto\tmyself.\tBut\tunder\tthe circumstances-the\tfact\tthat\tI'll\tbe\tgone\tin\ta\tfew\tdays-\\\" \\\"That's\tjust\tit.\\\"\tSuddenly\tshe\twanted\tto\tweep.\t\\\"You\twill\tbe\tgone.\tI\tdon't","\\\"That's\tjust\tit.\\\"\tSuddenly\tshe\twanted\tto\tweep.\t\\\"You\twill\tbe\tgone.\tI\tdon't want\tto\twonder\twhat\tit\tmight\thave\tbeen\tlike.\tI\twant\tto\tknow,\tI\tfeel-oh,\tI don't\tknow\thow\tI\tfeel.\tThe\tonly\tthing\tI'm\tsure\tof\tis\tthat\tI\twant\tyou\tto make\tlove\twith\tme\ttonight.\\\" She\tstopped,\tshocked\tthat\tshe\thad\tsaid\tit\taloud,\tstunned\tthat\tit\twas perhaps\tthe\ttruest\tthing\tshe'd\tever\tsaid.\tThen\tthe\tnerves\twere\tgone,\tand the\tshock\twith\tthem.\tShe\twas\tabsolutely\tcalm,\tand\tabsolutely\tcertain. \\\"Caleb,\tI\twant\tto\tbe\twith\tyou\ttonight.\\\" He\trose.\tThe\thands\the\ttucked\tin\this\tpockets\twere\ttwo\ttense\tfists.\t\\\"A\tfew days\tago\tit\twould\thave\tbeen\teasy.\tThings\thave\tchanged,\tLibby.\tI\tcare about\tyou.\\\" \\\"You\tcare,\tso\tyou\tdon't\twant\tto\tlove\tme?\\\" \\\"I\twant\tto\tso\tbadly\tI\tcan\ttaste\tit.\\\"\tWhen\this\tgaze\twhipped\tto\thers,\tshe could\tsee\tthat\the\tspoke\tnothing\tless\tthan\tthe\ttruth.\t\\\"I\talso\tknow\tthat you've\thad\ta\tlittle\ttoo\tmuch\tto\tdrink\tand\tmore\tthan\ttoo\tmuch\tto\tdeal\twith tonight.\\\"\tHe\tdidn't\tdare\ttouch\ther,\tbut\this\tvoice\twas\tlike\ta\tcaress.\t\\\"There are\trules,\tLibby.\\\" She\ttook\twhat\tshe\tknew\tmight\tbe\tthe\tbiggest\tstep\tin\ther\tlife\twhen\tshe moved\tto\thim\tand\theld\tout\tboth\thands. \\\"Break\tthem.\\\"","CHAPTER\t7 He\tcould\thear\this\town\theart\tbeating,\tcould\tfeel\tthe\tblood\tpumping\tto\tand from\tit.\tIn\tthe\tshadowy\tlight\tshe\tlooked\tmysterious,\timpossibly\terotic\tin\ta baggy\tsweater\tand\tworn\tcorduroy.\tHer\thair\twas\tmussed,\tfrom\tthe\tdrive and\tfrom\ther\town\trestless\tfingers.\tHe\tcould\timagine,\tall\ttoo\tclearly,\twhat it\twould\tbe\tlike\tto\tsmooth\tit\thimself.\tHow\tit\twould\tbe\tto\tslip\toff\tall\tthose layers\tof\toversize\tclothing\tand\tfind\ther\tslim\tand\twarm\tunderneath.\tHe took\ta\tlong,\tcareful\tbreath\tand\ttried\tto\tthink\tclearly. \\\"Libby-\\\"\tHe\tran\ta\thand\tover\this\troughened\tchin.\t\\\"I'm\ttrying\tto\tthink\tlike\ta man\tyou'd\tunderstand,\tone\tfrom\tyour\ttime.\tI\tdon't\tseem\tto\tbe\tdoing\ta good\tjob\tof\tit.\\\" \\\"I'd\trather\tyou'd\tthink\tlike\tyourself.\\\"\tShe\twanted\tto\tbe\tcalm\tand\tconfident. This\twas\ta\tdecision\tshe'd\twaited\tyears\tto\tmake.\tShe\twas\tsure.\tBut\tstill there\twere\tnerves,\tbrought\ton\tby\texcitement,\tanticipation\tand\tdeep- rooted\tdoubts\tabout\ther\town\tcapabilities\tas\ta\twoman.\t\\\"Time\tdoesn't change\teverything,\tCaleb.\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\twas\tcertain\tmen\thad\tfelt\tthis\tstirring\tsince\tthe\tfirst\tdawn.\tBut when\the\tlooked\tat\ther\the\twas\tafraid\tthat\twhat\the\twas\tfeeling\twas\tfar more\tcomplicated\tthan\tbasic\tattraction.\tHis\tthroat\twas\tdry,\this\tpalms were\tdamp.\tThe\tharder\the\ttried\tto\tthink\trationally,\tthe\tless\tclear\this thoughts\tbecame.\t\\\"Maybe\twe\tshould\ttalk\tabout\tit.\\\" She\tresisted\tthe\turge\tto\tstare\tat\ther\tfeet\tand\tkept\ther\teyes\ton\this.\t\\\"Don't you\twant\tme?\\\" \\\"I've\timagined\tmaking\tlove\twith\tyou\ta\tdozen\ttimes.\\\" She\tfelt\tthe\tthrill,\tand\tthe\tfear,\ttangle\tin\ta\trace\tup\ther\tspine.\t\\\"When\tyou imagined,\twhere\twere\twe?\\\" \\\"Here.\tOr\tin\tthe\tforest.\tOr\tthousands\tof\tmiles\taway\tin\tspace.\tThere's\ta pond\tnear\tmy\thouse,\twith\twater\tas\tclear\tas\tglass\tand\ta\tbank\tof\tflowers my\tfather\tplanted.\tI've\tseen\tyou\tthere\twith\tme.\\\"","It\thurt,\tmore\tthan\ta\tlittle,\tknowing\the\twould\tgo\tback\tto\tthat\tpond,\tto\ta place\twhere\tshe\tcouldn't\tfollow.\tBut\tthey\thad\tnow.\tThe\tpresent\twas\tall that\tmattered,\tall\tshe\twould\tlet\tmatter.\tShe\tcrossed\tto\thim,\tknowing\tthat they\tboth\tneeded\tfor\ther\tto\ttake\tthe\tfirst\tstep. \\\"Here's\ta\tgood\tstart.\\\"\tShe\tlifted\ta\thand\tto\this\tcheek.\t\\\"Kiss\tme\tagain, Caleb.\\\" How\tcould\the\tresist\ther?\tHe\twas\tcertain\tno\tman\tcould.\tHer\teyes\twere huge\tand\tdark,\ther\tlips\twere\tparted.\tWaiting.\tSlowly\the\tlowered\this,\tjust brushing,\ttesting.\tHer\tsoft,\tyielding\tsigh\tseemed\tto\tfill\thim.\tNeed\tdid,\ta wild,\turgent\tneed.\tShaken\tby\tthe\tscope\tof\tit,\the\tput\this\thands\ton\ther shoulders\tto\tdraw\ther\taway. \\\"Libby-\\\" \\\"Don't\tmake\tme\tseduce\tyou,\\\"\tshe\tmurmured.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tknow\thow.\\\" With\ta\tstrangled\tlaugh,\the\tpulled\ther\thard\tagainst\thim,\tburying\this\tface in\ther\thair.\t\\\"Too\tlate.\tYou\talready\thave.\\\" \\\"Have\tI?\\\"\tHer\tarms\twere\taround\thim,\tholding\ttight\tto\twhat\tshe\ttold herself\tshe\twould\trelease\twithout\tregret\twhen\tthe\ttime\tcame.\tA\tshudder had\ther\tgripping\tharder\twhen\the\tcaught\ther\tearlobe\tbetween\this\tteeth.\t\\\"I don't\tknow\twhat\tto\tdo\tnext.\\\" Cal\tplucked\ther\tup\tinto\this\tarms.\t\\\"Enjoy,\\\"\the\ttold\ther\tbefore\the\tcarried her\tup\tthe\tstairs. He\twanted\ther\tin\tthe\tbed\twhere\the'd\tdreamed\tof\ther.\tIn\tthe\tpale\tlight\tof the\trising\tmoon\the\tlaid\ther\tdown.\tWhatever\the\thad\the\twould\tgive\ther. What\tshe\thad\the\twould\ttake.\tHe\tunderstood\tpleasure,\tthe\tdegrees,\tthe depths,\tthe\tlayers.\tSoon,\tvery\tsoon,\tso\twould\tshe. Slowly\the\tundressed\ther,\tdrawing\tout\tthe\tprocess\tfor\this\town\tenjoyment and\tfor\tthe\tsimple\twonder\tof\tit.\tEvery\tinch\the\tuncovered\tdelighted\thim, the\tslender\tankles,\tthe\tsmooth\tcalves,\tthe\tcurving\tshoulders.\tHe watched\ther\teyes\twiden\tand\tcloud\twith\tconfused\tpassions\twhen\the touched\ther,\tpalms\tskimming,\tfingers\ttrailing.","Taking\ther\thand,\the\tbrought\tit\tto\this\tmouth\tto\ttaste\tand\tsavor.\t\\\"I've\tseen you\tlike\tthis,\\\"\the\tmurmured.\t\\\"Even\twhen\tI\ttried\tnot\tto.\\\" She'd\tthought\tshe\twould\tfeel\tawkward,\teven\tfoolish.\tShe\tlay\tnaked\tin the\tsplash\tof\tmoonlight\tand\tfelt\tonly\tbeautiful\tas\the\tlooked\this\tfill.\t\\\"I've wanted\tto\tbe\there\twith\tyou,\teven\twhen\tI\ttried\tnot\tto.\\\"\tShe\twas\tsmiling when\tshe\tlifted\ther\thands\tto\tundress\thim. He\twas\tdetermined\tto\tbe\tpatient,\tto\tbe\tthorough,\tto\tbe\tvery,\tvery\tgentle. He\tknew,\tas\the\tunderstood\tshe\tdid\tnot,\tthat\tthere\twere\thundreds\tof varied\tpaths\tto\tfulfillment.\tThis\ttime,\ther\tfirst\ttime,\tit\twould\tbe\tsweet. Then\ther\tinexperienced\thands\tmade\this\tblood\tleap\tunder\this\tskin. Seduction,\tunplanned,\twas\tpotent.\tOnce\the\tcovered\ther\thands\twith\this and\tbit\tback\ta\tmoan. Her\tfingers\ttightened\tunder\this,\tand\ther\tbody\ttensed.\t\\\"Am\tI\tdoing something\twrong?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\tlet\tout\this\tbreath\ton\ta\tquick\tlaugh\tand\tforced\thimself\tto\trelax. \\\"A\tlittle\ttoo\tright.\tThis\ttime.\\\"\tShifting\taway,\the\tslipped\tout\tof\tthe\trest\tof his\tclothes.\t\\\"Remind\tme\tto\task\tyou\tto\tundress\tme\tlike\tthat\tagain\tlater.\\\" He\tbrushed\ther\thair\tback\tfrom\ther\tface\tand\tbegan\tto\tkiss\ther.\t\\\"This\tfirst time\tI\thave\tthings\tto\tshow\tyou,\tplaces\tto\ttake\tyou.\\\"\tHe\tnipped\tlightly\tat her\tchin.\t\\\"Trust\tme.\\\" \\\"I\tdo.\\\"\tBut\tshe\twas\talready\ttrembling.\tThe\tbrush\tof\this\tbody\tagainst\thers, warmth\tto\twarmth,\twas\tlike\tsome\tstrange,\texciting\tdream.\tHis\thands roamed\tover\ther,\twhisper-soft,\tlimber\tas\ta\tviolinist's,\tand\ta\tknot\tof\theat built\tfrom\ther\tcenter\tout\tto\ther\tfingertips\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tdo\tmore\tthan wrap\ther\tarms\taround\thim.\tShe\tmelted\tinto\tthe\tkiss,\tinto\tthe\tlong, luxurious\tdepth\tof\tit.\tThen\tthose\tclever\tfingers\tfound\ta\tpoint,\tsome\tpulse that\tbeat\tunder\tthe\tskin\tnear\tthe\tbase\tof\ther\tspine,\tand\tsent\ther\treeling. His\tmouth\tmuffled\ther\tcry\tof\tstunned\trelease\tas\ther\tbody\tarched,\tthen went\tas\tfluid\tas\twater\tbeneath\this.\tAlmost\texperimentally,\the\teased\ther up\tand\tover\tagain,\this\town\tbody\tvibrating\tfrom\ther\tpleasure. \\\"Incredible,\\\"\the\tmurmured\tbefore\tshe\tdragged\this\tmouth\tback\tto\thers.","\\\"Incredible,\\\"\the\tmurmured\tbefore\tshe\tdragged\this\tmouth\tback\tto\thers. Her\tresponse\thad\this\tblood\tpounding.\tShe\twas\tlike\ta\tfast\tfuse,\tand\the held\tthe\tstill-smoking\tmatch.\tHe\tknew\tthat\tif\the\thad\ttaken\ther\tthat\tinstant she\twould\thave\twelcomed\thim,\tjust\tas\the\tknew\tdesire\twas\tonly\tthe\troot of\tthe\tflower.\tHe\twanted\tto\tgive\ther\tthe\tblossom. Delving\tdeep,\the\tfound\tthe\tcontrol\tthat\the\tneeded\tto\tprolong\tpassion rather\tthan\tbe\tcommanded\tby\tit.\tShe\tseemed\tso\tfragile\tnow,\ther\ttaste, her\tscent,\tthe\tliquid\tmovements\tshe\tmade\tunder\thim.\tLike\tthe moonbeams\tthat\twashed\tthe\troom,\tshe\twas\tpale\tand\tbeautiful.\tWith\this lips\tagainst\ther\tthroat,\the\tcould\tfeel\ther\tpulse\tthunder,\techoing\this\town. No\tfantasy\the\thad\tever\tindulged\tin,\tno\twoman\the\thad\tever\tpleasured, had\tbeen\tas\tglorious\tas\tthe\twoman\twho\theld\thim\tnow.\tHe\tlinked\ta\thand with\thers,\tknowing\the\twould\tnever\tfind\tthe\twords\tto\texplain\tto\teither\tof them\twhat\tthis\tnight\twith\ther\tmeant\tto\thim. But\the\tcould\tshow\ther.\tHe\twould\tshow\ther. One\tmoment\tshe\twas\tfloating,\tthe\tnext\tracing.\tThen\tshe\twas\tflying.\tLove with\thim\twas\ta\tmyriad\tof\ttastes\tand\ttextures,\ta\tstorm\tof\tsensations,\ta symphony\tof\tsounds.\tHis\thands\twere\talmost\tunbearably\tgentle,\tand\tthe scrape\tof\this\tbeard\tagainst\ther\tskin\twas\tan\tarousing\tcontrast.\tAs\tshe gave\therself\tthe\tliberty\tof\ttouching\thim,\tof\tstroking\thim,\tshe\tdiscovered that\this\tbody\twas\twire-taut\tand\this\tmuscles\twere\ttrembling. She\twanted\tto\tthink,\tto\tanalyze\teach\tmoment,\tbut\tit\twas\tpossible\tonly\tto experience. Soft,\tso\tincredibly\tsoft-she\twas\talmost\tafraid\tit\twas\tan\tillusion,\this\ttouch, the\twords\the\tmurmured,\tthe\tglow\tthat\tseemed\tto\tsurround\ther.\tThen there\twas\theat,\tstunningly\treal.\tShe\twas\tsteeped\tin\tit.\tIn\thim. He\tlifted\ther\tso\tthat\tthey\twere\tkneeling\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tbed,\twrapped close.\tFlickers\tof\turgency\tcame\tthrough-a\troughened\tcaress,\ta quickened\tbreath.\tA\tskim\tof\tfingers,\ta\tpress\tof\tpulse\tto\tpulse,\tand\the had\ther\tgasping,\ther\thead\tthrown\tback,\ther\tbody\tcurved\tagainst\this.\tHe groaned\tand\tcrushed\this\thungry\tmouth\tto\ther\tthroat.","Her\tnails\tbit\tinto\this\tskin.\tEven\tthat\taroused\thim.\tHere\twas\tpassion, wilder,\tfreer\tthan\tany\the\thad\tever\timagined.\tShe\twas\topen\tfor\thim,\tonly him.\tHe\twas\thalf-mad\twith\tthe\tknowledge\tthat\tshe\twould\tgive\tto\thim what\tshe\thad\tgiven\tto\tno\tone\telse. But\tgently.\tDragging\thimself\tback,\the\teased\this\tpossessive\tgrip\tinto\ta caress.\tWhen\the\tlowered\this\tmouth\tto\ther\tbreast,\tthe\tsound\tof\tpleasure came\tfrom\tboth\tof\tthem.\tHe\tused\this\ttongue\tto\ttease,\this\tteeth\tto torment.\tHe\tcould\tfeel\ther\tskin\thum\tunder\this\thands\tand\tlips. She\twas\tsmall,\tdelicate.\tIt\thelped\tto\tbring\tout\tthe\ttenderness\the\twanted to\tshow\ther.\tBut\twhen\the\tlaid\ther\tback\tthere\twas\ta\tstrength\tand\tdemand in\tthe\thands\tthat\tpressed\thim\tagainst\ther. So\tlong.\tThe\tthought\traced\tin\tand\tout\tof\ther\tmind\tas\the\tdid\tthings\tto\ther, for\ther,\tthings\tshe\thad\tnever\timagined.\tShe\thad\twaited\tso\tlong\tfor\tthis. For\thim.\tHer\tresponse\tcame\tfreely\tand\tfully,\ther\tloving\tof\thim\ttotally instinctive.\tThere\twas\tno\tway\tfor\ther\tto\tknow\tas\tshe\tspun\tin\tthe\tworld\the had\topened\tfor\ther\twhat\tshe\tbrought\tto\thim. He\twas\tskilled,\tand\the\tused\this\tskill\tto\ttake\ther\tbeyond\tthose\tfirst flashes\tof\tpleasure\tinto\tthe\tvelvet\tspace\treserved\tfor\tlovers.\tShe\twas innocent,\tyet,\tjust\tas\ttruly,\tjust\tas\teasily,\tshe\ttook\thim.\tHe\tslipped\tinto her.\tShe\tclosed\taround\thim. It\twas\ta\tmerging\tof\tbodies,\tand\tof\thearts,\tand\tof\ttime. Clouds.\tDark,\tsilver-edged\tclouds.\tLibby\twas\tfloating\ton\tone.\tShe wanted\tto\tgo\ton\tdrifting\tforever.\tHer\tarms\thad\tslid\tfrom\taround\thim,\tlimp, to\tlie\ton\tthe\trumpled\tsheets.\tShe\tcouldn't\tfind\tthe\tstrength\tto\tlift\tthem and\tencircle\thim\tagain.\tNor\tcould\tshe\tfind\ther\tvoice.\tShe\twanted\tto\ttell him\tnot\tto\tmove-not\tever\tto\tmove.\tWith\ther\teyes\tclosed\tand\this\tbody fitted\tso\tperfectly\tagainst\thers,\tshe\tcounted\teach\tbeat\tof\this\theart. Silk.\tHer\tskin\twas\tlike\thot,\tfragrant\tsilk.\tHe\twas\tcertain\the\tcould\tnever get\tenough\tof\tit.\tWith\this\tface\tburied\tin\ther\thair,\the\tfelt\this\tsystem\tdrift back\tto\tearth\tlike\ta\tfeather\ton\tthe\tbreeze.\tHow\tcould\the\ttell\ther\tthat\tno one\thad\tever\tmoved\thim\tas\tshe\tdid?\tHow\tcould\the\texplain\tthat\tat\tthis moment\the\twas\tmore\tat\thome\tthan\the\thad\tever\tbeen\tin\this\town\tworld,","moment\the\twas\tmore\tat\thome\tthan\the\thad\tever\tbeen\tin\this\town\tworld, or\tin\tthe\tsky\the\tloved\tso\tmuch?\tHow\tcould\the\taccept\tthat\the\thad\tfound his\tmatch\tin\ta\tplace,\tand\tin\ta\ttime,\twhere\the\twas\ta\tstranger? He\twouldn't\tthink\tof\tit.\tCal\tturned\this\tlips\tinto\ther\tneck.\tFor\tas\tlong\tas\tit was\tpossible,\the\twould\tlive\tfrom\tminute\tto\tminute. \\\"You\tare\tso\tlovely.\\\"\tHe\tpropped\thimself\ton\tan\telbow\tso\tthat\the\tcould\tsee her\tface,\tthe\tpaleness\tof\tit\tin\tthe\tmoonlight.\tIt\twas\tflushed\tfrom\tthe afterglow\tof\tlovemaking.\tHer\teyes\twere\tclouded\twith\tthe\tlast\tdregs\tof spent\tpassion.\t\\\"Very\tlovely,\\\"\the\tmurmured,\tand\tkissed\ther.\t\\\"Your\tskin's still\twarm.\\\"\tHe\tbegan\tto\tnibble,\tas\tthough\tshe\twere\ta\tdelicacy\the couldn't\tresist. \\\"I\tdon't\tthink\tI'll\tever\tbe\tcold\tagain.\\\"\tFresh\tdesire\tbegan\tto\ttingle\twithin her.\t\\\"Caleb-\\\"\tHer\tbreath\tcaught\ton\ta\tfast,\thot\tshudder.\t\\\"You\tmake\tme feel-\\\" \\\"How?\\\"\tWith\this\ttongue,\the\ttraced\ther\tparted\tlips.\t\\\"Tell\tme\thow\tI\tmake you\tfeel.\\\" \\\"Magical.\\\"\tHer\tfingers\tcurled\tinto\tthe\tsheets.\t\\\"Helpless.\\\"\tAnd\twent\tlax. \\\"Strong.\\\"\tShe\tgripped\this\tforearms,\trocked\tby\ta\tdazzling\tarray\tof\tnew sensations.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tknow.\\\" \\\"I'm\tgoing\tto\tlove\tyou\tagain,\tLibby.\\\"\tHe\tcrushed\this\tmouth\tto\thers\tin\ta soul-wrenching\tkiss\tthat\tleft\tthem\tboth\tbreathless.\t\\\"And\tagain,\tand again.\tEach\ttime\tI\tdo,\tit'll\tbe\tdifferent.\\\" There\twas\ta\tpower\tbuilding\tin\thim.\tIt\tmight\thave\tfrightened\ther\tif\tshe hadn't\tfelt\tits\ttwin\tgrowing\tin\ther.\tHer\teyes\tstayed\topen\tand\ton\this\tas she\tlifted\ther\tarms\tand\trose\tto\tmeet\thim. Limbs\tentwined,\tthey\tlay\ttogether\tin\tthe\tdeepest\tpart\tof\tthe\tnight\tand listened\tto\tthe\twind\trising\tthrough\tthe\ttrees.\tHe\twas\tright,\tLibby\tthought. Each\ttime\twas\tdifferent,\texcitingly\tdifferent,\tyet\tbeautifully\tthe\tsame.\tShe could,\tshe\thoped,\tlive\tout\ther\tlife\ton\tthe\tmemories\tof\tthis\tone\tnight. \\\"Are\tyou\tasleep?\\\"","She\tsettled\ther\thead\tmore\tcomfortably\tin\tthe\tcurve\tof\this\tshoulder.\t\\\"No.\\\" \\\"I\tmight\tenjoy\twaking\tyou.\\\"\tHe\tslid\this\thand\tup\tto\tcup\ther\tbreast.\t\\\"In\tfact, I'm\tsure\tI\twould.\\\"\tHe\tnestled\this\tleg\tcozily\tbetween\ther\tthighs.\t\\\"Libby?\\\" \\\"Yes?\\\" \\\"Something's\tmissing.\\\" \\\"What?\\\" \\\"Food.\\\" She\tsmothered\ta\tyawn\tagainst\this\tshoulder.\t\\\"You're\thungry?\tNow?\\\" \\\"I've\tgot\tto\tkeep\tup\tmy\tstrength.\\\" A\tquick,\twicked\tgrin\tcurved\ther\tlips.\t\\\"You've\tbeen\tdoing\tpretty\twell\tso far.\\\" \\\"Pretty\twell?\\\"\tWhen\tshe\tchuckled,\the\tpulled\ther\ton\ttop\tof\thim.\t\\\"But\tI'm not\tfinished\tyet.\tWhy\tdon't\tI\twatch\twhile\tyou\tfix\tme\ta\tsandwich?\\\" She\ttraced\tlazy\tpatterns\ton\this\tchest\twith\ther\tfingertip.\t\\\"So,\tmale chauvinism\tsurvives\tin\tthe\ttwenty-third\tcentury.\\\" \\\"I\tfixed\tyou\tbreakfast\tthis\tmorning.\\\" She\tremembered\tthe\tlittle\tsilver\tbag.\t\\\"More\tor\tless.\\\" Had\tit\tonly\tbeen\tthat\tmorning?\tCould\ta\tlife\tchange\tso\tunalterably\tin\tjust a\tfew\tshort\thours?\tHers\thad.\tShe\twondered\tif\tthat\tshould\tfrighten\ther, but\tall\tshe\tfelt\twas\tgratitude. \\\"All\tright.\\\"\tShe\tstarted\tto\tpush\taway,\tbut\tthen\the\tgripped\ther\thips\tand shifted\ther. \\\"First\tthings\tfirst,\\\"\the\tmurmured,\tand\tsent\ther\tsoaring\tagain. Later,\tLibby\tstruggled\tinto\ta\trobe,\twondering\tif\ther\tmind\tcould\thandle\tthe simple\ttask\tof\tslapping\tsome\tmeat\tbetween\ttwo\tslices\tof\tbread.\tHe'd","simple\ttask\tof\tslapping\tsome\tmeat\tbetween\ttwo\tslices\tof\tbread.\tHe'd drained\ther\tand\tfilled\ther,\taroused\ther\tand\tsoothed\ther,\tuntil\ther\tlimbs were\tweak\tand\ther\tmind\twas\tmush. He\tswitched\ton\tthe\tbedside\tlight\tas\the\trose\tout\tof\tthe\tbed,\tunabashedly naked.\t\\\"Got\tany\tcookies\tto\tgo\twith\tthat\tsandwich?\\\" \\\"Probably.\\\"\tShe\tdidn't\twant\tto\tstare\tat\thim.\tYes,\tshe\tdid.\tThough\tshe knew\tit\twas\tfoolish,\ther\tcolor\trose\tas\tshe\tlowered\ther\teyes\tto\twatch\ther fingers\tfumble\twith\tthe\tbelt\tof\ther\trobe.\tWhen\the\twalked\ttoward\tthe\tdoor, she\tlooked\tup\tquickly.\t\\\"You're\tnot\tgoing\tdownstairs\tlike\tthat.\\\" \\\"Like\twhat?\\\" \\\"Without-You\tneed\tto\tput\tsomething\ton.\\\"\tHe\tleaned\ta\thand\tagainst\tthe doorjamb\tand\tgrinned.\tWatching\ther\tblush\tdelighted\thim.\t\\\"Why?\tYou should\tknow\thow\tI'm\tbuilt\tby\tnow.\\\" \\\"That's\tnot\tthe\tpoint.\\\" \\\"What\tis\tthe\tpoint?\\\" Giving\tup,\tshe\tgestured\tto\tthe\tpile\tof\tclothes.\t\\\"Put\tsomething\ton.\\\" \\\"Okay.\tI'll\tput\ton\tthe\tsweater.\\\" \\\"Very\tfunny,\tHornblower.\\\" \\\"You're\tshy.\\\"\tA\tglint\tcame\tinto\this\teyes,\tone\tshe\trecognized\tvery\twell\tby now.\tEven\tas\the\ttook\tthe\tfirst\tstep\ttoward\ther,\tshe\tsnatched\tup\tthe\tjeans and\ttossed\tthem\tat\thim. \\\"If\tyou\twant\tme\tto\tfix\tyou\ta\tsandwich,\tyou'll\thave\tto\tcover\tup\tsome\tof your-attributes.\\\" Still\tgrinning,\the\tstruggled\tinto\tthe\tjeans.\tIf\the\tput\tthem\ton,\tshe'd\tjust have\tto\ttake\tthem\toff\thim\tlater.\tEnjoying\tthe\tidea,\the\tfollowed\ther downstairs. \\\"Why\tdon't\tyou\tfill\tthe\tteakettle?\\\"\tshe\tsuggested\tas\tshe\topened\tthe","\\\"Why\tdon't\tyou\tfill\tthe\tteakettle?\\\"\tshe\tsuggested\tas\tshe\topened\tthe refrigerator.\t\\\"With\twhat?\\\" \\\"Water,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\twith\ta\tsigh.\t\\\"Just\twater.\tPut\tit\ton\tthe\tfront\tburner\tof\tthe stove\tand\tturn\tthe\tlittle\tknob\tunder\tit.\\\"\tShe\tpulled\tout\tsome\tpackaged ham,\tsome\tcheese\tand\ta\thothouse\ttomato.\t\\\"Mustard?\\\" \\\"Hmm?\\\"\tHe\twas\tstudying\tthe\tstove.\t\\\"Sure.\\\"\tPeople\tnow\thad\tto\tbe\tvery patient,\the\tdecided\tas\the\twatched\tthe\telectric\tcoil\tof\tthe\tburner\tslowly glow\tred\twith\theat.\tStill,\tthere\twere\tadvantages.\tLibby's\tcooking\twas\ta far\tcry\tfrom\tthe\tquick\tpacks\the\twas\taccustomed\tto.\tThen\tthere\twere\tthe living\tarrangements.\tThough\the\thad\talways\tloved\tthe\thome\the'd\tgrown up\tin\tand\twas\tmore\tthan\tcomfortable\tin\this\tquarters\taboard\this\tship,\the liked\tthe\tfeel\tof\treal\twood\tunder\this\tbare\tfeet,\tand\tthe\tsmell\tof\tit\tburning when\tshe\thad\ta\tfire\tgoing\tin\tthe\tmain\troom. Then\tthere\twas\tLibby\therself.\tHe\twasn't\tcertain\tit\twas\tproper\tto\tcall\ther an\tadvantage.\tShe\twas\tdistinct,\tunique,\tand\teverything\the'd\tever\twanted in\ta\twoman.\tHis\tmouth\tfell\topen\tan\tinstant\tbefore\tthe\theat\tfrom\tthe burner\tsinged\this\tfinger.\tWith\ta\tquick\tyelp,\the\tjumped\tback. \\\"What\tis\tit?\\\" For\ta\tmoment\the\tjust\tstared\tat\ther.\tHer\thair\twas\ttousled\taround\ther face,\tand\ther\teyes\twere\theavy\tfrom\tlack\tof\tsleep.\tThe\trobe\tshe\twore seemed\tto\tswallow\ther\tup. \\\"Nothing,\\\"\the\tmanaged,\tnearly\toverwhelmed\tby\tan\temotion\tthat\the prayed\twas\tonly\tdesire.\t\\\"I\tburned\tmy\tfinger.\\\" \\\"Don't\tplay\twith\tthe\tstove,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\tmildly,\tthen\twent\tback\tto\tmaking\tthe sandwiches. Everything\the\twanted\tin\ta\twoman?\tThat\twasn't\tpossible.\tHe\tdidn't\tknow what\the\twanted\tin\ta\twoman,\tand\the\twas\ta\tlong\tway\tfrom\tmaking\tup\this mind.\tOr\thad\tbeen. That\tthought\tput\tthe\tfear\tof\tGod\tinto\thim.\tThat,\tand\tthe\tuncomfortable suspicion\tthat\this\tmind\thad\tbeen\tmade\tup\tfor\thim\tthe\tmoment\the'd opened\this\teyes\tand\tseen\ther\tdozing\tin\tthe\tchair.\tRidiculous.\tHe\thadn't","opened\this\teyes\tand\tseen\ther\tdozing\tin\tthe\tchair.\tRidiculous.\tHe\thadn't even\tknown\ther\tthen. But\the\tknew\ther\tnow. He\tcouldn't\tbe\tin\tlove\twith\ther.\tHe\twatched\tas\tshe\ttossed\ther\thair\tback from\ther\tface\twith\ta\tflick\tof\ther\thand,\tand\this\tstomach\ttied\titself\tinto knots.\tAttraction,\thowever\toutrageous,\twas\tacceptable.\tIt\twasn't\tpossible that\the\twas\tin\tlove.\tHe\tcould\tlove\tbeing\twith\ther,\tlove\tmaking\tlove\twith her,\tlaughing\twith\ther.\tHe\tcould\tcare\tfor\ther,\tfind\ther\tfascinating\tand arousing,\tbut\tas\tfor\tlove,\tthat\twasn't\tan\toption. Love,\there\tand\tin\this\ttime,\tmeant\tthings\tneither\tof\tthem\tcould\tever\thave together.\tA\thome,\ta\tfamily. Years. As\tthe\tkettle\tbegan\tto\tsputter,\the\tlet\tout\ta\tlong\tbreath.\tHe\twas\tsimply magnifying\tthe\tsituation.\tShe\twas\tspecial\tto\thim,\tand\talways\twould\tbe. The\tdays\the\tspent\twith\ther\twould\tbe\ta\tprecious\tpart\tof\this\tlife.\tBut\tit\twas essential\tfor\thim\tto\tremember,\tfor\tboth\ttheir\tsakes,\tthat\this\tlife\tbegan\ttwo hundred\tyears\tafter\tLibby\tno\tlonger\texisted. \\\"Is\tsomething\twrong?\\\" He\tglanced\tover\tto\tsee\ther\tholding\ttwo\tplates,\ther\thead\tcocked\ta\tbit\tto the\tside,\tas\tit\tdid\twhenever\tshe\twas\ttrying\tto\twork\tout\ta\tproblem. \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\tsmiled\tand\ttook\tthe\tplates\tfrom\ther.\t\\\"My\tmind\twas\twandering.\\\" \\\"Eat,\tHornblower.\\\"\tShe\tpatted\this\tcheek.\t\\\"You'll\tfeel\tbetter.\\\" Because\the\twanted\tto\tbelieve\tit\tcould\tbe\tthat\tsimple,\the\tsat\tdown\tand dug\tin\twhile\tshe\tfixed\tthe\ttea. It\tseemed\tnatural,\tLibby\tthought,\tfor\tthem\tto\tshare\ttea\tand\tsandwiches in\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tnight-just\tthe\ttwo\tof\tthem\tsitting\tin\tthe\tcozy\tkitchen, with\tan\towl\thooting\tsomewhere\tin\tthe\tforest\tand\tthe\tmoonlight\tfading. The\tawkwardness\tshe\thad\tfelt-foolishly,\tshe\tbelieved-before\tshe'd tugged\ton\ther\trobe,\twas\tgone.","\\\"Better?\\\"\tshe\tasked\thim\twhen\the'd\tdowned\thalf\tof\this\tsandwich. \\\"Yes.\\\"\tThe\ttension\tthat\thad\tslammed\tinto\thim\tso\tunexpectedly\thad nearly\tdissipated.\tHe\tstretched\tout\this\tlegs\tso\tthat\tthe\tarch\tof\this\tfoot rubbed\tover\ther\tankle.\tThere\twas\tsomething\tsoothing\tin\tthe\tcontact,\tlike a\tlong\tnap\ton\ta\trainy\tafternoon.\tShe\tlooked\tso\tpretty\twith\ther\thair mussed\tand\ther\teyes\theavy.\t\\\"How\tis\tit,\\\"\the\tmurmured,\t\\\"that\tI'm\tthe\tfirst man\tto\thave\tyou?\\\" She\tnearly\tchoked\tbefore\tshe\tmanaged\tto\tswallow\tthe\ttea\tthat\twas halfway\tdown\ther\tthroat.\t\\\"I\tdon't-\\\"\tShe\tcoughed\ta\tlittle,\tthen\ttugged\tthe lapels\tof\ther\trobe\tcloser.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tknow\thow\tto\tanswer\tthat.\\\" \\\"Do\tyou\tconsider\tthat\tan\todd\tquestion?\\\"\tCharmed\tagain,\the\tsmiled, leaning\tcloser\tso\tthat\the\tcould\ttouch\ther\thair.\t\\\"You're\tso\tsensitive,\tso attractive.\tOther\tmen\tmust\thave\twanted\tyou.\\\" \\\"No-that\tis,\tI\tcan't\tsay.\tI\thaven't\treally\tpaid\tmuch\tattention.\\\" \\\"Does\tit\tembarrass\tyou\tfor\tme\tto\ttell\tyou\tyou're\tattractive?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tBut\twhen\tshe\tpicked\tup\ther\tteacup\twith\tboth\thands\tshe\twas flushed.\t\\\"A\tlittle,\tperhaps.\\\" \\\"I\tcan't\tbe\tthe\tfirst\tto\thave\ttold\tyou\thow\tlovely\tyou\tare.\tHow\twarm.\\\"\tHe pried\tone\tof\ther\thands\tfrom\tthe\tcup\tto\tsoothe\ther\tfingers.\t\\\"How\texciting.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tyou\tcan.\\\"\tAlmost\tunbearably\taroused,\tshe\tlet\tout\ta\tlong,\tshaky breath.\t\\\"I\thaven't\thad\ta\tlot\tof-social\texperience\twith\tmen.\tMy\tstudies.\\\" Her\tbreath\tsnagged\tas\the\tkissed\ther\tfingers.\t\\\"My\twork.\\\" He\treleased\ther\thand\tbefore\the\twent\twith\this\timpulse\tto\tmake\tlove\twith her\tagain.\t\\\"But\tyou\tstudy\tmen.\\\" \\\"Studying\tand\tinteracting\tare\tdifferent\tthings.\\\"\tHe\tdidn't\thave\tto\ttouch\ther to\tstir\ther,\tLibby\trealized.\tHe\tonly\thad\tto\tlook,\tas\the\twas\tlooking\tnow. \\\"I'm\tnot\tvery\toutgoing\tunless\tI\tconcentrate\ton\tit.\\\" He\tstarted\tto\tlaugh,\tthen\trealized\tshe\tbelieved\tit.\t\\\"I\tthink\tyou underestimate\tLiberty\tStone.\tYou\ttook\tme\tin\tand\tcared\tfor\tme,\tand\tI\twas","underestimate\tLiberty\tStone.\tYou\ttook\tme\tin\tand\tcared\tfor\tme,\tand\tI\twas a\tstranger.\\\" \\\"I\tcould\thardly\thave\tleft\tyou\tout\tin\tthe\train.\\\" \\\"You\tcouldn't.\tOthers\tcould.\tHistory\tmay\tnot\tbe\tmy\tstrong\tsuit,\tLibby,\tbut I\tdoubt\thuman\tnature\thas\tchanged\tthat\tmuch.\tYou\twent\tout\tin\tthe\tstorm to\tfind\tme,\tbrought\tme\tinto\tyour\thome,\tlet\tme\tstay\teven\twhen\tI\tannoyed you.\tIf\tI\tget\tback\tto\tmy\town\ttime\tand\tplace\tit\twill\tbe\tbecause\tof\tyou.\\\" She\trose\tthen\tto\tfix\tmore\ttea\tshe\tdidn't\twant.\tShe\tdidn't\twant\tto\tthink about\this\tleaving,\tthough\tshe\tknew\tshe\twould\thave\tto.\tIt\twas\twrong\tto pretend,\teven\tfor\ta\tfew\thours,\tthat\the\twould\tstay\twith\ther\tand\tforget\tthe life\the'd\tleft\tbehind. \\\"I\tdon't\tthink\tgiving\tyou\ta\tbed\tand\tsome\tscrambled\teggs\tconstitutes\ta real\tdebt,\\\"\tShe\tmade\therself\tsmile\tas\tshe\tturned\ttoward\thim\tagain.\t\\\"But if\tyou\twant\tto\tbe\tgrateful\tI\twon't\targue\twith\tyou.\\\" He'd\tsaid\tsomething\twrong.\tThough\the\tcouldn't\tput\this\tfinger\ton\tit,\tCal could\ttell\tfrom\tthe\tway\ther\teyes\thad\tchanged.\tShe\twas\tsmiling\tat\thim, but\ther\teyes\twere\tdark\tand\tsad.\t\\\"I\tdon't\twant\tto\thurt\tyou, Libby.\\\" Her\teyes\tsoftened\tnow,\tand\the\twas\trelieved.\t\\\"No,\tI\tknow\tthat.\\\"\tShe\tsat down\tagain\tand\tpoured\teach\tof\tthem\tanother\tfull\tcup.\t\\\"What\tdo\tyou\tplan to\tdo?\tAbout\tgetting\tback,\tI\tmean.\\\" \\\"How\tmuch\tdo\tyou\tknow\tabout\tphysics?\\\" \\\"Next\tto\tnothing.\\\" \\\"Then\tlet's\tjust\tsay\tI'll\tput\tthe\tship's\tcomputer\tto\twork.\tThe\tdamage\twas pretty\tminimal,\tso\tthat\tshouldn't\tbe\ta\tproblem.\tI'll\thave\tto\task\tyou\tto\tdrive me\tout\tto\tthe\tship\tagain.\\\" \\\"Of\tcourse.\\\"\tShe\tfelt\ta\tbubble\tof\tpanic\tand\tstruggled\tto\tget\tpast\tit.\t\\\"I suppose\tyou'll\twant\tto\tstay\ton\tthe\tship\tnow,\twhile\tyou\twork\tout\tyour calculations\tand\tmake\tyour\trepairs.\\\"","calculations\tand\tmake\tyour\trepairs.\\\" It\twould\tbe\tmore\tpractical,\tand\tit\twould\tcertainly\tbe\tmore\tconvenient.\tCal gave\tit\tno\tmore\tthan\ta\tmoment's\tconsideration.\t\\\"I\twas\thoping\tI\tcould stay\there.\tI've\tgot\tmy\taircycle\ton\tboard,\tso\tI\tcan\tget\tback\tand\tforth easily\tenough.\tIf\tyou\tdon't\tmind\tthe\tcompany.\\\" \\\"No,\tof\tcourse\tnot.\\\"\tShe\tsaid\tit\tquickly,\ttoo\tquickly,\tflustering\therself. Then\tshe\tstopped\tand\tbacked\tup.\t\\\"Your\taircycle?\\\" \\\"If\tit\twasn't\tdamaged\tin\tthe\tcrash,\\\"\the\tmused.\tThen\the\ttossed\tthe possibility\taside.\t\\\"We'll\thave\ta\tlook\ttomorrow.\tAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\teat\tthe rest\tof\tthat?\\\" \\\"What?\tOh,\tno.\\\"\tShe\tpassed\thim\tthe\tsecond\thalf\tof\ther\tsandwich.\tIt\twas ridiculous,\tshe\tsupposed,\tbut\tevery\tnow\tand\tthen\the\tsaid\tsomething\tthat made\ther\twonder\tif\tshe\twas\tdreaming\tagain.\t\\\"Cal,\\\"\tshe\tbegan\tslowly,\t\\\"it occurs\tto\tme\tthat\tI\tcan\tnever\ttell\tanyone\tabout\tyou,\tor\tany\tof\tthis.\\\" \\\"I'd\trather\tyou'd\twait\tuntil\tI'd\tgone.\\\"\tHe\tfinished\toff\tthe\tsandwich.\t\\\"But\tI don't\tmind\tif\tyou\ttell\tanyone.\\\" \\\"That's\tbig\tof\tyou.\\\"\tShe\tgave\thim\ta\tbland\tlook.\t\\\"Tell\tme,\tdo\tthey\thave padded\tcells\tin\tthe\ttwenty-third\tcentury?\\\" \\\"Padded\tcells?\\\"\tHe\ttook\ta\tmoment\tto\timagine\tone.\t\\\"Is\tthat\ta\tjoke?\\\" \\\"Only\ton\tme,\\\"\tshe\ttold\thim\tas\tshe\trose\tto\tclear\tthe\tplates. \\\"It\tmay\tbe\tone\ton\tme,\ttoo.\tI've\twondered\tif,\tonce\tI\tget\tback,\tanyone\twill believe\tme.\\\" A\tthought\tstruck\ther\tthat\twas\tboth\tabsurd\tand\tfascinating.\t\\\"Maybe\tI could\tdo\ta\ttime\tcapsule.\tI\tcould\twrite\teverything\tdown,\tput\tin\ta\tfew interesting\tor\tpertinent\titems\tand\tseal\tit\tup.\tWe\tcould\tbury\tit-I\tdon't\tknow, down\tby\tthe\tstream,\tperhaps.\tWhen\tyou\tgot\tback\tyou\tcould\tdig\tit\tall\tup.\\\" \\\"A\ttime\tcapsule.\\\"\tThe\tidea\tappealed\tto\thim,\tnot\tjust\tscientifically,\tbut personally.\tWouldn't\tit\tmean\the\twould\tstill\thave\tsomething\tof\ther,\teven when\tthey\twere\tseparated\tby\tcenturies?\tHe\twould\tneed\tthat,\the realized,\tthe\tsolid\tproof\tof\tnot\tonly\twhere\the\thad\tbeen\tbut\tthat\tshe\thad","realized,\tthe\tsolid\tproof\tof\tnot\tonly\twhere\the\thad\tbeen\tbut\tthat\tshe\thad existed.\t\\\"I\tcan\trun\tit\tthrough\tthe\tcomputer,\tmake\tsure\twe\tdon't\tput\tit somewhere\tthat's\tgoing\tto\tbe\tcovered\tby\ta\tbuilding\tor\ta\tlandslide\tor some\tsuch\tthing.\\\" \\\"Good.\\\"\tShe\tpicked\tup\ta\tpad\tfrom\tthe\tcounter\tand\tbegan\tto\tscribble. \\\"What\tare\tyou\tdoing?\\\" \\\"Making\tnotes.\\\"\tShe\tsquinted\tat\ther\town\twriting\tand\twished\tshe\thad\ther glasses.\t\\\"We'll\tneed\tto\twrite\teverything\tdown,\tof\tcourse,\tstarting\twith\tyou and\tyour\tship.\tWhat\telse\tshould\twe\tput\tin\tit?\\\"\tshe\twondered,\ttapping\tthe pencil\tagainst\tthe\tpad.\t\\\"A\tnewspaper,\tI\tthink,\tand\ta\tpicture\twould\tbe good.\tWe\tmay\thave\tto\tdrive\tback\tinto\ttown\tand\tfind\tone\tof\tthose\tlittle booths\tthat\ttake\tpictures.\tNo,\tI'll\tbuy\ta\tPolaroid\tcamera.\\\"\tShe\tscribbled faster.\t\\\"That\tway\twe\tcan\ttake\tpictures\there,\tin\tthe\thouse\tor\tright\toutside. Then\twe'll\tneed\tsome\tpersonal\tthings-\\\"\tShe\tfingered\tthe\tthin\tgold\tchain at\ther\tthroat.\t\\\"Maybe\tsome\tbasic\thousehold\titems.\\\" \\\"You're\tbeing\ta\tscientist.\\\"\tHe\ttook\ther\tby\tthe\twaist\tand\tdrew\ther\tslowly, unerringly,\tagainst\thim.\t\\\"I\tfind\tthat\tvery\texciting.\\\" \\\"That's\tsilly.\\\" But\tit\tdidn't\tseem\tsilly\tat\tall\twhen\the\tlowered\this\thead\tand\tbegan\tto nibble\tat\ther\tneck.\tShe\tfelt\tthe\tfloor\ttilt\tbeneath\ther\tfeet. \\\"Cal-\\\" \\\"Hmm?\\\"\tHe\tjourneyed\tup\tto\ta\tsmall,\tvulnerable\tspot\tjust\tbehind\ther\tear. \\\"I\twanted\tto-\\\"\tThe\tpad\tslipped\tout\tof\ther\thand\tand\tlanded\ton\tthe\tfloor\tat their\tfeet. \\\"To\twhat?\\\"\tQuick\tand\tclever,\this\tfingers\tloosened\tthe\tknot\tat\ther\twaist. \\\"Tonight\tyou\tcan\thave\tanything\tyou\twant.\\\" \\\"You.\\\"\tShe\tsighed\tas\ther\trobe\tslid\toff\ther\tshoulders.\t\\\"Just\tyou.\\\" \\\"That's\tthe\teasy\tpart.\\\"\tMore\tthan\twilling\tto\toblige,\the\tbraced\ther\tagainst the\tcounter.\tA\thundred\terotic\tideas\tswam\tthrough\this\tmind.\tHe\twas","the\tcounter.\tA\thundred\terotic\tideas\tswam\tthrough\this\tmind.\tHe\twas going\tto\tsee\tto\tit\tthat\tneither\tof\tthem\tthought\tthe\tsame\tway\tabout\tthis cozy\tlittle\tkitchen\tagain.\tThe\tstreaks\tof\tpink\talong\ther\tskin\tstopped\thim. \\\"What's\tall\tthis?\\\"\tCurious,\the\tran\ta\tfinger\tover\tthe\tswell\tof\ther\tbreast, then\tshifted\this\thand\tto\this\tchin.\t\\\"I've\tscratched\tyou.\\\" \\\"What?\\\"\tShe\twas\talready\tfloating\tan\tinch\toff\tthe\tfloor,\tand\tshe\twas\tless than\twilling\tto\ttouch\tdown. \\\"I\thaven't\tshaved\tin\tdays.\\\"\tAnnoyed\twith\thimself,\the\tbent\tto\tlightly\tkiss the\tskin\the'd\tirritated\tearlier.\t\\\"You're\tso\tsoft.\\\" \\\"I\tdidn't\tfeel\ta\tthing.\\\"\tShe\treached\tfor\thim\tagain,\tbut\the\tonly\tkissed\ther hair. \\\"There's\tonly\tone\tthing\tto\tdo.\\\" \\\"I\tknow.\\\"\tShe\tran\ther\thands\tup\this\tmuscled\tback.\tWith\ta\tlaugh,\the hugged\ther\ttighter.\t\\\"That's\ttwo\tthings.\\\"\tHe\tscooped\ther\tup\tagain\tfor\tno other\treason\tthan\tthat\tit\tfelt\twonderful. \\\"You\tdon't\thave\tto\tcarry\tme.\\\"\tBut\tshe\tnuzzled\tinto\this\tshoulder.\t\\\"I\tcan walk\tto\tbed.\\\" \\\"Maybe,\tbut\twe'd\tbetter\tuse\tthe\tbathroom\tfor\tthis.\\\" \\\"The\tbathroom?\\\" \\\"I'm\tgoing\tto\thave\tto\tdeal\twith\tthat\tnasty-looking\tdevice,\\\"\the\ttold\ther\tas he\tstarted\tup\tthe\tstairs.\t\\\"And\tyou're\tgoing\tto\twalk\tme\tthrough\tit\tso\tI\tdon't cut\tmy\tthroat.\\\" Nasty-looking\tdevice?\tShe\ttried\tto\tput\tit\tall\ttogether\tas\the\tcarried\ther upstairs.\t\\\"Don't\tyou\tknow\thow\tto\tuse\ta\trazor?\\\" \\\"We're\tcivilized\twhere\tI\tcome\tfrom.\tAll\tinstruments\tof\ttorture\thave\tbeen outlawed.\\\" \\\"Is\tthat\tso?\\\"\tShe\twaited\tuntil\the\tset\ther\tdown\tagain.\t\\\"I\tsuppose\tthat means\twomen\tdon't\twear\thigh\theels\tor\tcontrol-top\tpanty\those.\tNever","means\twomen\tdon't\twear\thigh\theels\tor\tcontrol-top\tpanty\those.\tNever mind,\\\"\tshe\tsaid\twhen\the\topened\this\tmouth.\t\\\"I\tthink\tthis\tcould\tbecome\ta very\tphilosophical\tdiscussion,\tand\tit's\tmuch\ttoo\tlate.\\\"\tOpening\tthe\tlinen closet,\tshe\ttook\tout\tthe\trazor\tand\tthe\tshaving\tcream.\t\\\"Here\tyou\tgo.\\\" \\\"Right.\\\"\tHe\tlooked\tat\tthe\ttools\tin\this\thand\twith\ta\tkind\tof\tresigned\tdread. What\ta\tman\tdid\tfor\this\twoman.\t\\\"Just\thow\tdo\tI\tgo\tabout\tthis?\\\" \\\"This\tis\tall\tsecondhand,\tas\tI've\tnever\tshaved\tmy\tface\tbefore,\tbut\tI believe\tyou\tspread\ton\tthe\tshaving\tcream,\tthen\tslide\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe razor\tover\tyour\tbeard.\\\" \\\"Shaving\tcream.\\\"\tHe\tsquirted\tsome\tinto\this\thand,\tthen\tran\this\ttongue over\this\tteeth.\t\\\"Not\ttoothpaste.\\\" \\\"No,\tI-\\\"\tIt\tdidn't\ttake\ther\tlong\tto\tget\tthe\tpicture.\tLeaning\tback\tagainst\tthe sink,\tshe\tcovered\ther\tmouth\twith\ther\thand\tand\ttried,\tunsuccessfully,\tnot to\tgiggle.\t\\\"Oh,\tHornblower,\tyou\tpoor\tthing.\\\" Cal\tstudied\tthe\tcan\tin\this\thand.\tAs\the\tsaw\tit,\the\treally\thad\tno\tchoice. While\tLibby\twas\tbent\tnearly\tdouble,\the\tturned,\taimed\tand\tfired.","CHAPTER\t8 She\tawakened\tslowly,\tmuttering\ta\tbit\twhen\tthe\tsunlight\tintruded\ton\ther dreams.\tShe\tshifted,\tor\ttried\tto,\tbut\tshe\twas\tweighed\tdown\tby\tan\tarm around\ther\twaist\tand\ta\tleg\thooked\tpossessively\tover\thers.\tContent\twith that,\tshe\tsnuggled\tcloser\tand\thad\tthe\tpleasure\tof\tfeeling\ther\tsleep- warmed\tskin\trub\tagainst Cal's. She\tdidn't\tknow\twhat\ttime\tit\twas,\tand\tfor\tperhaps\tthe\tfirst\ttime\tin\ther\tlife it\tdidn't\tmatter.\tMorning\tor\tafternoon,\tshe\twas\thappy\tto\tlie\tcurled\tin\tbed, dozing\tthe\tday\taway,\tas\tlong\tas\the\twas\twith\ther. Drifting,\tnearly\tdreaming\tagain,\tshe\tstroked\ta\thand\tover\thim.\tSolid,\tshe thought.\tHe\twas\tsolid\tand\treal\tand,\tfor\tthe\tmoment,\thers.\tEven\twith\ther eyes\tclosed\tshe\tcould\tsee\thim,\tevery\tfeature\tof\this\tface,\tevery\tline\tof\this body.\tThere\thad\tnever\tbeen\tanyone\tshe\thad\tfelt\tbelonged\tso\tcompletely to\ther\tbefore.\tEven\ther\tparents,\tfor\tall\ttheir\tlove,\tall\ttheir\tunderstanding, had\tbelonged\tto\teach\tother\tinitially.\tShe\twould\talways\tthink\tof\tthem\tas\ta unit,\tfirst\tand\tlast.\tAnd\tSunny-Libby\tsmiled\ta\tlittle\tas\tshe\tthought\tof\ther sister.\tEven\tthough\tshe\twas\tyounger\tby\tnearly\ttwo\tyears,\tSunny\thad always\tbeen\tindependent\tand\ther\town\tperson-argumentative\tand\tdaring in\tways\tLibby\tcould\tnever\ttry\tto\temulate. But\tCal-It\twas\ttrue\tthat\the\thad\tonly\tjust\tappeared\tin\ther\tlife,\twould disappear\tagain\tall\ttoo\tquickly,\tbut\the\twas\thers.\tHis\tlaughter,\this\ttemper, his\tpassion-they\tall\tbelonged\tto\ther\tnow.\tShe\twould\tkeep\tthem,\ttreasure them,\tlong\tafter\the\twas\tgone. To\tlove\tas\tshe\tdid,\tLibby\tmused,\twhen\tevery\temotion,\tevery\tword,\tevery look,\thad\tto\tbe\tsqueezed\tinto\ta\tmatter\tof\thours,\twas\tboth\tprecious\tand heartbreaking. He\tthought\the'd\tbeen\tdreaming,\tbut\tthe\tshape,\tthe\ttexture,\tthe\tscent\tof\ta woman's\tbody\twere\tvery,\tvery\treal.\tLibby's\tbody.\tHer\tname\twas\tthere, his\tfirst\twaking\tthought.\tShe\twas\tpressed\tagainst\thim,\ta\tperfect\tfit\teven in\tsleep.\tThe\tslow,\tgentle\tstroke\tof\ther\thand\taroused\thim\tin\tthe\tmost","in\tsleep.\tThe\tslow,\tgentle\tstroke\tof\ther\thand\taroused\thim\tin\tthe\tmost exquisite\tway. He'd\tlost\tcount\tof\tthe\ttimes\tthey\thad\tmoved\ttogether\tduring\tthe\tnight,\tbut he\tknew\tdawn\thad\tbeen\tbreaking\tthe\tlast\ttime\tshe'd\tcried\tout\this\tname. The\tlight\thad\tbeen\tdim\tand\tpearly.\tHe\twould\tnever\tforget\tit.\tShe\twas\tlike a\tfantasy,\tall\tsoft\tcurves,\tagile\tlimbs\tand\ttireless\tpassions.\tSomewhere along\tthe\tline\the\thad\tstopped\tbeing\tthe\tteacher\tand\thad\tbeen\ttaught. There\twas\tmore\tto\tloving\tthan\tthe\tuncountable\tphysical\tpleasures\ta\tman and\ta\twoman\tcould\toffer\teach\tother.\tThere\twas\ttrust\tand\tpatience, generosity\tand\tjoy.\tThere\twas\tthe\tdrugging\tcontentment\tof\tfalling\tasleep knowing\tyour\tpartner\twould\tbe\tthere\twhen\tyou\tawoke. Partner.\tThe\tword\tfloated\tthrough\this\tmind.\tHis\tmatch.\tWas\tit\tfate\tor fancy\tthat\the\thad\thad\tto\ttravel\tthrough\ttime\tto\tmeet\this\tmatch? He\tdidn't\twant\tto\tthink\tof\tit.\tRefused\tto.\tAll\the\twanted\tnow\twas\tto\tmake love\twith\tLibby\tin\tthe\tsunlight. He\tshifted,\tand\tbefore\teither\tof\tthem\twas\tfully\tawake,\tslipped\tinto\ther. Her\tsoft\tmoan\tmingled\twith\this\town\tas\ttheir\tlips\tmet.\tAcceptance. Affection.\tArousal.\tSlowly,\tdrawing\tout\tthe\tlazy\tdelight,\tthey\tmoved together,\ttheir\thands\tbeginning\ta\tquiet\texploration,\tthe\tkiss\tdeepening.\t\\\"I love\tyou.\\\" He\theard\ther\twords,\ta\tcaressing\twhisper\tin\this\tmind,\tand\tanswered them\tlike\tan\techo\tas\this\tlips\tbegan\tto\ttrace\ther\tface. The\tadmissions\tshocked\tneither\tof\tthem,\tas\tthey\twere\ttoo\tdazed\tby\tthe tumultuous\tsensations\tand\temotions\trunning\tthrough\tthem.\tShe\thad never\tspoken\tthose\twords\tto\tanother\tman,\tnor\the\tto\tanother\twoman. Before\tthe\timpact\thit\thome,\tneed\thad\tthem\tclinging\tcloser. Gracefully,\tgloriously,\tthey\ttook\teach\tother\tto\tthe\tpinnacle. Later,\the\tnuzzled\tdown\tbetween\ther\tbreasts,\tbut\the\twas\tno\tlonger sleeping.\tHad\tshe\tsaid\tshe\tloved\thim?\tAnd\thad\the\ttold\ther\the\tloved\ther? What\tdisturbed\thim\tmost\twas\tthat\the\tcouldn't\tbe\tsure\tif\tit\thad\thappened, or\tif\tit\thad\tbeen\this\timagination,\tsomething\twished\tfor\twhile\this\tmind\twas","or\tif\tit\thad\tbeen\this\timagination,\tsomething\twished\tfor\twhile\this\tmind\twas vulnerable\twith\tsleep\tand\tpleasure. And\the\tcouldn't\task\ther.\tDidn't\tdare.\tAny\tanswer\tshe\twould\tgive\twould hurt.\tIf\tshe\tdidn't\tlove\thim,\tit\twould\tbe\tlike\tlosing\tpart\tof\this\theart,\tof\this soul.\tIf\tshe\tdid,\tit\twould\tmake\tleaving\ther\tsomething\takin\tto\tdying. It\twas\tbest,\tfor\tboth\tof\tthem,\tto\ttake\twhat\tthey\thad.\tHe\twanted\tto\tmake her\tlaugh,\tto\tsee\tboth\tpassion\tand\thumor\tin\ther\teyes,\tto\thear\tthem\tin her\tvoice.\tAnd\the\twould\tremember.\tCal\tclosed\this\teyes\ttight.\tWhatever happened\tto\thim,\the\twould\talways\tremember. So\twould\tshe.\tHe\tneeded\tto\tbe\tcertain\tof\this\tplace\tin\ther\tmemories. \\\"Come\twith\tme.\\\"\tSliding\toff\tthe\tbed,\the\tdragged\ther\twith\thim. \\\"Where?\\\" \\\"To\tthe\tbathroom.\\\" \\\"Again?\\\"\tLaughing,\tshe\ttried\tto\tsnag\ther\trobe,\tbut\the\tpulled\ther\tinto\tthe hall\twithout\tit.\t\\\"You\tdon't\tneed\tanother\tshave.\\\" \\\"Good\tthing.\\\" \\\"You\tonly\tcut\tyourself\tthree\tor\tfour\ttimes.\tAnd\tit's\tyour\town\tfault\tyou used\tup\tmost\tof\tthe\tshaving\tcream\tbeforehand.\\\" He\tsent\ther\ta\twicked\tgrin.\t\\\"I\tliked\trubbing\tit\tall\tover\tyou\tbetter.\\\" \\\"If\tyou're\tgetting\tideas\tabout\tthe\ttoothpaste-\\\" \\\"Maybe\tlater.\\\"\tHe\tlifted\ther\tup\tand\tinto\tthe\ttub.\t\\\"For\tnow\tI'll\tsettle\tfor\ta shower.\\\" She\tlet\tout\ta\tquick\tshriek\twhen\tthe\tcold\twater\thit\ther.\tBefore\tshe\tcould retaliate\tor\tform\teven\ta\ttoken\tprotest\the\thad\tjoined\ther,\twrapping\tone arm\taround\ther\twhile\the\tadjusted\tthe\twater\ttemperature\twith\this\tfree hand.\tHe\tthought\the\twas\tgetting\trather\tgood\tat\tit.","She\ttook\ta\tstream\tof\twater\tin\tthe\tface,\tsputtered,\tstarted\tto\tswear,\tthen found\therself\tcaught\tin\ta\thot,\twet,\tendless\tkiss. She'd\tnever\texperienced\tanything\tlike\tit.\tSteamy\tair,\tslick\tskin,\tsoapy hands.\tHer\tknees\twere\tweak\tby\tthe\ttime\the\tshut\tthe\tspray\toff\tand wrapped\ther\tin\ta\ttowel.\tAs\tdizzy\tas\tshe,\the\trested\ta\tforehead\ton\thers. \\\"I\tthink\tif\twe're\tgoing\tto\tget\tanything\tdone-anything\telse,\tthat\tis-we'd better\tget\tout\tof\tthe\thouse.\\\" \\\"Right.\\\" \\\"After\twe\teat.\\\" She\twas\tamazed\tshe\thad\tthe\tenergy\tto\tlaugh.\t\\\"Naturally.\\\" It\twas\tlate\tafternoon\twhen\tthey\tstood\tby\tCal's\tship\tagain.\tClouds\thad moved\tin\tfrom\tthe\tnorth,\tbringing\ta\tchill.\tLibby\ttold\therself\tthat\twas\tthe reason\tshe\tfelt\tcold.\tShe\thugged\tthe\tshort\tjacket\ttighter,\tbut\tthe\tcold came\tfrom\tinside. \\\"I'm\tstanding\there,\tlooking\tat\tit,\tknowing\tit's\treal,\tbut\tI\tstill\tcan't understand\tit.\\\" Cal\tnodded.\tHis\tcontented,\trelaxed\tmood\thad\tfled,\tand\the\twasn't\tentirely sure\twhy.\t\\\"I\tget\tthe\tsame\tsensation\twhenever\tI\tlook\tat\tyour\tcabin.\\\" There\twas\ta\theadache\tbuilding\tbehind\this\teyes,\tthe\tkind\the\tknew\tcame from\ttension.\t\\\"Look,\tI\tknow\tyou've\tgot\twork\tof\tyour\town,\tand\tI\tdon't\twant to\thold\tyou\tup,\tbut\twould\tyou\tmind\twaiting\ta\tfew\tminutes\twhile\tI\tcheck the\tcycle?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tShe'd\tbeen\thoping\the'd\task\ther\tto\tstay\tall\tday.\tMasking\ther disappointment,\tshe\tsmiled\tat\thim.\t\\\"Actually,\tI'd\tlike\tto\tsee\tit.\\\" \\\"I'll\tbe\tright\tback.\\\" He\topened\tthe\thatch\tand\tdisappeared\tinside. He\twould\tdo\tthat\tagain\tsoon,\tand\tfor\tthe\tlast\ttime,\tLibby\tthought.\tShe had\tto\tbe\tprepared\tfor\tit.\tStrange,\tbut\tshe'd\timagined\the'd\ttold\ther\the","had\tto\tbe\tprepared\tfor\tit.\tStrange,\tbut\tshe'd\timagined\the'd\ttold\ther\the loved\ther\tthat\tmorning.\tIt\twas\ta\tnice,\tsoothing\tthought,\tthough\tshe understood\the\tdidn't\treally.\tHe\tcouldn't.\tHe\tcared\tfor\ther,\tmore\tthan anyone\thad\tever\tcared\tfor\ther,\tbut\the\thadn't\tfallen\tdeeply,\tcompletely\tin love\twith\ther,\tas\tshe\thad\twith\thim. Because\tshe\tloved\thim,\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tdo\teverything\tshe\tcould\tto\thelp him,\tstarting\twith\taccepting\tlimitations.\tIt\twas\ta\tbeautiful\tday,\tafter\tthe most\tbeautiful\tnight\tof\ther\tlife.\tSmiling,\treally\tsmiling,\tshe\tlooked\tup\tat the\tcloudy\tsky.\tThe\train\twould\tcome\tby\tevening,\tand\tit\twould\tbe welcome. She\tglanced\tback\tat\tthe\tship\twhen\tshe\theard\ta\tlow,\tmetallic\thum. Another\tdoor\topened-the\tcargo\tdoor,\tshe\tassumed\tbecause\tof\tits\tsize and\tlocation.\tHer\tmouth\tdropped\topen\tas\tCal,\ton\tthe\tback\tof\ta\tsmall, streamlined\tbike,\traced\tout,\tsix\tinches\tabove\tthe\tground. It\tmade\ta\tsound\tthat\twas\tsomething\tlike\ta\tpurr,\tnot\tcatlike\tor\tmotorlike, more\tlike\tthe\tsound\tof\tair\tparting.\tIt\twas\tshaped\tsomething\tlike\ta motorcycle,\tbut\twithout\tthe\tbulk.\tThere\twere\ttwo\twheels\tfor\tground transportation,\tand\ta\tnarrow,\tpadded\tseat\tto\taccommodate\triders.\tThe body\titself\twas\ta\tlong,\tcurving\tcylinder\tthat\tforked\tinto\ttwo\tslender handlebars. He\tdrove-or\tflew-it\tover\tto\ther,\tthen\tsat\tgrinning\ton\tthe\tseat\tlike\ta\tten- year-old\tshowing\toff\this\tfirst\ttwelve-speed. \\\"It\truns\tgreat.\\\"\tHe\tmade\tsome\tsmall\tmovement\twith\this\thand\ton\tthe handgrips\tthat\thad\tthe\tpurr\tdeepening.\t\\\"Want\ta\tride?\\\" Frowning,\tshe\teyed\tthe\tlittle\tgauges\tand\tbuttons\ton\tthe\tstock\tbeneath the\thandlebars.\tIt\tlooked\tlike\ta\ttoy.\t\\\"I\tdon't\tknow.\\\" \\\"Come\ton,\tLibby.\\\"\tWanting\tto\tshare\this\tpleasure,\the\theld\tout\ta\thand. \\\"You'll\tlike\tit.\tI\twon't\tlet\tanything\thappen\tto\tyou.\\\" She\tlooked\tat\thim,\tand\tat\tthe\tbike,\thovering\tjust\tabove\tthe\tpine\tneedles that\twere\tstrewn\ton\tthe\tforest\tfloor.\tIt\twas\ta\tsmall\tmachine-if\tindeed\tthat was\tthe\tproper\tterm-but\tthere\twas\troom\tenough\tfor\ttwo\ton\tthe\tnarrow black\tseat.\tThe\tbody\twas\tpainted\ta\tmetallic\tblue\tthat\tglistened\twith","black\tseat.\tThe\tbody\twas\tpainted\ta\tmetallic\tblue\tthat\tglistened\twith deeper\tshades\tin\tthe\tsunlight.\tIt\tlooked\tharmless,\tshe\tdecided\tafter\ta moment,\tand\tshe\tdoubted\tif\tanything\tso\tsmall\tcould\thold\tmuch\tpower. With\ta\tshrug,\tshe\tslid\ton\tthe\tseat\tbehind\thim. \\\"Better\thold\ton,\\\"\the\ttold\ther,\tmostly\tbecause\the\twanted\tto\tfeel\ther\tbody curve\tagainst\this. The\tstrength\tof\tthe\tvibration\tbeneath\ther\tshocked\ther,\tthough\tshe\tknew it\twas\tfoolish.\tCal\thad\tlooked\tharmless,\ttoo,\tshe\tremembered. \\\"Hornblower,\tshouldn't\twe\thave\thelmets\tor-\\\"\tThe\twords\twhipped\taway\tas he\taccelerated. She\tmight\thave\tscreamed,\tbut\tinstead\tshe\tsqueezed\ther\teyes\tshut\tand gripped\tCal\tso\ttightly\tthat\the\tchoked\ton\ta\tlaugh.\tHe\tcould\tfeel\ther\theart beating\tagainst\thim,\tas\tfast\tand\theavy\tas\tit\thad\tthrough\tthe\tnight.\tWith an\tinnate\tskill\thoned\tfiner\tby\tpractice,\the\tsteered\tonce\taround\tthe\tship, then\tup\tthe\tslope. Speed.\tHe'd\talways\tbeen\taddicted\tto\tit.\tHe\tfelt\tthe\tair\tslap\this\tface, stream\tthrough\this\thair,\tand\tpressed\tfor\tmore.\tThe\tsky\tbeckoned,\this first\tand\tmost\tconstant\tlover,\tbut\the\tresisted,\taware\tthat\tLibby\twould\tbe more\tfrightened\tthan\tthrilled\tif\the\ttook\ther\ttoo\thigh\ttoo\tquickly.\tInstead he\tbreezed\tthrough\tthe\tforest,\twinding\taround\ttrees,\tskimming\tover\trock and\twater.\tA\tbird\tburst\toff\ta\tbranch\tjust\tabove\ttheir\theads\tand\twent wheeling\taway,\tchattering\tbad-temperedly\tat\tthe\tcompetition.\tHe\tcould feel\ther\tgrip\trelax\ta\tfraction,\tthen\ta\tlittle\tmore.\tHer\tface\twas\tno\tlonger pressed\tbetween\this\tshoulder\tblades. \\\"What\tdo\tyou\tthink?\\\" She\tcould\tnearly\tbreathe\tagain.\tIt\tseemed\ther\tstomach\thad\tdecided\tto stay\tin\tplace.\tAt\tleast\tfor\tthe\tmoment.\tShe\topened\tone\teye\tfor\ta\tcautious look.\tAnd\tswallowed\thard. \\\"I\tthink\tI'm\tgoing\tto\tmurder\tyou\tthe\tminute\twe're\ton\tthe\tground\tagain.\\\" \\\"Relax.\\\"\tThe\tcycle\ttilted\tthirty\tdegrees\tright,\tthen\tleft,\tas\the\tdanced through\tthe\ttrees.","Easy\tfor\thim\tto\tsay,\tshe\tthought.\tAnother\tlook\tshowed\ther\tthat\tthey\twere more\tthan\tten\tfeet\tabove\tthe\tground.\tShe\tgasped,\tnearly\tmanaged\tto squeal\tout\ta\tdemand\tto\tbe\tset\tdown,\tbut\tthen\tit\thit\ther.\tShe\twas\tflying. Not\tenclosed\tin\tsome\thuge,\tbulky\tplane\tthousands\tof\tfeet\tup,\tbut\tfreely, lightly.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\tthe\twind\ton\ther\tface,\tin\ther\thair,\tcould\ttaste\tthe promise\tof\tspring\ton\tit.\tThere\twas\tno\tloud\troar\tof\tengine\tnoise\tto\tdisturb the\tsensation.\tThey\twere\tskimming\tthrough\tthe\tforest\tas\tplayfully\tas birds. He\tstopped\tin\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tclearing\this\tship\thad\tcreated.\tWhile\tthe bike\thovered,\the\tturned\tto\tlook\tat\ther. \\\"Want\tme\tto\tgo\tdown?\\\" \\\"No.\tUp.\\\"\tShe\tlaughed\tand\ttossed\ther\thead\tback.\tShe\thad\talready\tfelt the\tpull\tof\tthe\tsky. He\twas\tgrinning\twhen\the\tleaned\tback\tto\tkiss\ther.\t\\\"How\thigh?\\\" \\\"What's\tthe\tlimit?\\\" \\\"I\tdon't\tknow,\tbut\tI\tdon't\tthink\twe\tought\tto\tchance\tit.\tIf\twe\tgo\tup\tabove the\ttrees,\tsomebody\tmight\tspot\tus.\\\" He\twas\tright,\tof\tcourse.\tLibby\tpushed\ther\thair\tout\tof\ther\tface,\twondering why\tshe\tseemed\tto\thave\tso\tlittle\tsense\twhen\tshe\twas\taround\thim.\t\\\"To the\ttreetops,\tthen.\tJust\tonce.\\\" Delighted\twith\ther,\the\tturned\taround.\tHe\tfelt\ther\tarms\thook\tfirmly\taround him,\tand\tthen\tthey\twere\tflying\tagain. He'd\tnever\tforget.\tHowever\tmany\ttimes\the\thad\ttaken\tto\tsky\tand\tspace, however\tmany\ttimes\the\twould\tyet\ttake\tto\tthem,\the\twould\tnever\tforget this\tone\tplayful\tflight\twith\tLibby.\tShe\twas\tlaughing,\tand\tthe\tsound\tof\tit caressed\this\tear\tas\ther\tbody\tpressed\tcompanionably\tagainst\this.\tHer fingers\twere\tlinked\tloosely\tat\this\twaist.\tHis\tonly\tregret\twas\tthat\the couldn't\twatch\ther\tface\tas\tthey\trose\tup\tand\tup.\tMaking\tlove\twith\ther\twas like\tthis,\tas\tclean\tand\tclear\tas\tcutting\tthrough\tthe\tair.\tAs\tmystifying\tand seductive\tas\tdefying\tgravity.","He\tresisted\tthe\ttemptation\tto\tcrest\tthe\ttrees,\tcontenting\thimself,\tand\ther, with\tgliding\taround\tthe\tthick\tbranches\tat\ta\thundred\tfeet.\tBelow\tthey could\tsee\ta\tthin\tstream\tthat\tcut\tthrough\tthe\trock,\tand\ta\twaterfall,\tdriven by\tthe\tspring\train\tand\tthe\tsnowmelt\tthat\tdanced\tdown\tthe\tridge\tand\tfell into\tspace.\tThe\tsun\tpushed\tthrough\tthe\tclouds\tso\tthat\tthey\tcould\twatch the\tpattern\tof\tshadows\tshift\ton\tthe\tground\tbelow.\tFor\ta\tmoment\tthey both\tturned\ttheir\tfaces\tto\tthe\tsky\tand\twished. He\tslowed\tfor\ttheir\tdescent,\tand\tthey\tseemed\tto\tdrift\tdownward, weightless,\tsoundless.\tLibby\tfelt\ther\thair\tlift\toff\ther\tneck,\tteased\tby\tthe air\tcurrents.\tShe\tthought\tpleasantly\tof\tPeter\tPan\tand\tfairy\tdust\tbefore they\ttouched\tdown\tlightly\tbeside\tthe\tship. \\\"Okay?\\\" When\the\tturned\tto\tlook\tover\this\tshoulder,\tLibby\tnoticed\tthat\tthe\tfaint hum\thad\tstopped.\tThe\tchill\thad\tvanished.\t\\\"It\twas\twonderful.\tI\tcould\thave stayed\tup\tall\tday.\\\" \\\"Flying's\thabit-forming.\\\"\tNo\tone\tknew\tthat\tbetter\tthan\the.\tHe\tswung\toff, then\ttook\ther\thand.\t\\\"I'm\tglad\tyou\tliked\tit.\\\" It\twas\tover,\tLibby\ttold\therself\twhen\tshe\tfelt\ther\tfeet\ton\tsolid\tground again.\tBut\tshe\thad\tone\tmore\tmemory\tto\tstore\taway.\t\\\"I\tloved\tit.\tI'm\tnot going\tto\task\tyou\thow\tit\tworks.\tI\tdoubt\tI'd\tunderstand\tanyway,\tand\tit might\tspoil\tthe\tfun.\\\"\tWith\ther\thand\tstill\tcaught\tin\this,\tshe\tlooked\tat\tthe ship.\tHer\tfeelings\tabout\tit\twere\tas\tconfused\tas\tthe\trest\tof\ther\temotions. It\thad\tbrought\thim\tto\ther,\tand\tit\twould\ttake\thim\taway.\t\\\"I'll\tlet\tyou\tget\tto work.\\\" Cal\twas\tdealing\twith\tthe\tsame\ttug-of-war\thimself.\t\\\"I'll\tbe\tback\taround nightfall.\\\" \\\"All\tright.\\\"\tShe\ttook\ther\thand\tfrom\this,\tthen\tstuck\tit\trestlessly\tin\ther pocket.\t\\\"You\twon't\thave\tany\ttrouble\tfinding\tyour\tway?\\\" \\\"I'm\ta\tgood\tnavigator.\\\" \\\"Of\tcourse.\\\"\tThe\tbirds\tthey\thad\tfrightened\taway\twith\ttheir\tride\twere","\\\"Of\tcourse.\\\"\tThe\tbirds\tthey\thad\tfrightened\taway\twith\ttheir\tride\twere beginning\tto\tsing\tagain.\tTime\twas\tslipping\tby.\t\\\"Well,\tI'd\tbetter\tgo.\\\" He\tknew\tshe\twas\tstalling,\tbut\tthen,\tso\twas\the.\tIt\twas\tstupid,\tCal\ttold himself.\tHe\twould\tbe\twith\ther\tagain\tin\ta\tmatter\tof\thours.\t\\\"You\tcould come\tin\twith\tme,\tbut\tI\tdon't\tthink\tI'd\tget\ta\tlot\tdone.\\\" It\twas\ttempting.\tShe\tcould\tgo\tinside,\tdistract\thim,\tkeep\thim\taway\tfrom the\tcomputer\tand\tthe\tanswers\tfor\ta\tfew\tmore\thours.\tBut\tit\twouldn't\tbe right.\tLibby\tlooked\tup\tat\thim\tagain\tas\tall\tthe\tlove\tand\tthe\tlonging\twelled up\tinside\ther. \\\"I\thaven't\tgotten\tany\twork\tdone\tthe\tlast\tcouple\tof\tdays,\teither.\\\" \\\"All\tright.\\\"\tLeaning\tover,\the\tkissed\ther.\t\\\"See\tyou\ttonight.\\\" He\tstood\tby\tthe\topen\thatch\tas\tshe\tstarted\tup\tthe\tslope.\tBut\twhen\tshe reached\tthe\ttop\tof\tthe\tridge\tshe\tdidn't\tlook\tback. Libby\tspent\tmost\tof\tthe\tday\tdrafting\tan\taccount\tof\tthe\tseries\tof\tevents that\thad\toccurred\tover\tthe\tlast\tweek.\tShe\tused\tCal's\twords,\this\ttheory, to\texplain\thow\the\thad\tcome\tto\tbe\twith\ther,\tcoloring\tthem\twith\ther\town impressions.\tThen\tshe\tlisted,\tin\tthe\torderly\tfashion\tthat\twas\tsecond nature\tto\ther,\teverything\tthat\thad\thappened,\tfrom\tthe\ttime\tshe\thad\tseen the\tflash\tin\tthe\tsky\tuntil\tshe\thad\tleft\tCal\tbeside\tthe\tship. That\twas\tthe\tsimple\tpart,\tsetting\tdown\tthe\tfacts.\tHer\tmemory\twas faultless.\tShe\tknew\tthat\twould\tbe\tboth\ta\tblessing\tand\ta\tcurse\twhen\tshe was\talone\tagain.\tBut\tfor\tnow\tshe\tpulled\ttogether\ther\tobjectivity\tand\tgave the\tstory\tas\tmuch\tskill\tand\tdedication\tas\tshe\thad\ther\tdissertation. Once\tdone,\tshe\tread\tthe\tentire\tstory\tover\ttwice,\trefining\tor\tenlarging where\tshe\tsaw\tfit.\tShe\twas\ttrained\tto\treport,\tshe\tmused\tas\tshe\tstudied the\tcomputer\tscreen.\tWhen\tCal\tpresented\this\texperiences\tto\tthe scientists\tof\this\ttime,\tshe\twanted\thim\tto\thave\tthe\tbenefit\tof\twhatever\tskill she\tcould\tgive\thim. It\twas\ta\tfantastic\tstory,\tfantastic\tin\tthe\tmost\tliteral\tsense\tof\tthe\tword. Perhaps\tit\twouldn't\tseem\tquite\tas\tfantastic\tin\tCal's\ttime.\tHow\twould\this people\treact\tto\thim\twhen\the\treturned,\twhen\the\ttold\this\ttale?\tThe","people\treact\tto\thim\twhen\the\treturned,\twhen\the\ttold\this\ttale?\tThe accidental\texplorer,\tshe\tthought\twith\ta\tsmile.\tWell,\tColumbus\thad\tbeen looking\tfor\tIndia\twhen\the'd\tdiscovered\tthe\tNew\tWorld. She\tliked\tto\tthink\tthat\the\twould\tbe\ttreated\tas\ta\tkind\tof\thero,\tthat\the\twas a\tman\twhose\tname\twould\tbe\tin\thistory\tbooks. He\thad\tthe\tlook\tof\ta\thero,\tshe\tmused,\tdaydreaming\ta\tlittle\tas\ther glasses\tslipped\tdown\ther\tnose.\tTall\tand\ttough.\tThe\tbandage\tover\this brow\tadded\ta\trakish\tlook-as\tthe\tweek's\tgrowth\tof\tbeard\thad\tbefore\the'd shaved\tit.\tFor\ther,\tshe\tremembered,\tand\tfelt\tthe\tdeep\tglow\tof\tpleasure. He\twas,\tperhaps,\tan\tordinary\tman\tin\this\ttime.\tA\tman,\tshe\tsupposed, who\tdid\this\tjob\tas\tothers\tdid,\twho\tgroaned\tover\tgetting\tup\tin\tthe morning,\tone\twho\toccasionally\tdrank\ttoo\tmuch\tor\tforgot\tto\tpay\tbills.\tHe wasn't\twealthy\tor\tbrilliant\tor\twildly\tsuccessful.\tHe\twas\tsimply\tCaleb Hornblower,\ta\tman\twho\thad\ttaken\ta\twrong\tturn\tand\tbecome extraordinary. To\ther,\the\twould\tnever\tbe\tjust\ta\tman.\tHe\twould\talways\tbe\tthe\tman. Would\tshe\tlove\tagain?\tNo,\tLibby\tthought\twith\tthe\tcalm\tof\tabsolute certainty.\tShe\twould\tbe\tcontent,\tsomehow,\twith\ther\twork\tand\ther\tfamily, with\ther\tmemories.\tBut\tto\tlove\tagain\twould\tbe\timpossible.\tShe\thad,\teven as\ta\tchild,\tbelieved\tthat\tthere\twould\tbe\tonly\tone\tman\tfor\ther.\tPerhaps that\twas\twhy\tit\thad\talways\tbeen\tso\teasy\tfor\ther\tto\tconcentrate\ton studies\tand\tcareer\twhile\ther\tcontemporaries\thad\tdrifted\tin\tand\tout\tof relationships\tand\tfallen\tin\tand\tout\tof\tlove. She\thated\tmaking\tmistakes.\tLibby\tsmiled\ta\tlittle\treluctantly\tat\tthe admission.\tIt\twas\ta\tflaw,\tcertainly,\tone\tof\tpride,\tbut\tshe\thad\talways detested\tthe\tidea\tof\ttaking\ta\tmisstep,\tpersonally\tor\tprofessionally.\tThat was\twhy\tshe\tstudied\tharder\tthan\tmost,\tresearched\tmore\tthoroughly, considered\tmore\tcarefully. It\thad\tpaid\toff,\tshe\treflected\tas\tshe\tpushed\ta\tfew\tbuttons\tand\thad\ther dissertation\tflashing\tonto\tthe\tscreen.\tShe\twas\tyoung\tfor\tthe\tdegree\tof success\tshe'd\tachieved.\tAnd\tshe\tintended\tto\tachieve\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tmore.","She\twas\told,\tperhaps,\tto\tbe\thaving\ther\tfirst\tlove\taffair.\tBut\tcaution\tand care\thadn't\tled\ther\tastray.\tLoving\tCal\twould\tnever\tbe\ta\tmistake. Content,\tshe\tpushed\ther\tglasses\tmore\tsecurely\ton\ther\tnose,\tleaned forward\tand\twent\tto\twork. He\tfound\ther\tthere\thours\tlater,\ther\tposture\tlong\tforgotten,\tabsorbed\tin\ta culture\tas\tdifferent\tfrom\thers\tas\thers\twas\tto\tCal.\tShe'd\tswitched\ton\tthe desk\tlamp\tat\tdusk,\tand\tthe\tlight\tslanted\tacross\ther\thands. Strong,\tcapable\thands,\tCal\tthought.\tProbably\tinherited\tfrom\ther\tartist mother.\tThe\tnails\twere\tshort\tand\tunpainted,\tat\tthe\tends\tof\tlong\tfingers. There\twas\ta\tscar,\ta\tfaint\tone\the'd\tnoticed\tbefore,\talong\tthe\tbase\tof\ther thumb.\tHe'd\tmeant\tto\task\ther\thow\tshe'd\tcome\tby\tit. He\tthought\the'd\tbeen\ttired\twhen\the'd\tcome\tin-not\tphysically,\tbut mentally,\twith\tthe\tburden\tof\tfigures\tand\tcalculations\tweighing\ton\this mind.\tBut\tnow,\tseeing\ther,\tfatigue\twas\tforgotten. He'd\tmanaged,\tsomehow,\tto\tstop\tthinking\tabout\ther\twhile\the'd\tworked.\tIt had\tbeen\ta\tdeliberate\teffort\tto\tstop\tthinking,\tstop\twanting,\tstop\tneeding. Because\tof\tit,\the'd\tmanaged\tto\tmake\tsome\tprogress.\tHe\twas\tall\tbut\tsure of\twhat\the\thad\tto\tdo\tto\tget\thome.\tHe\tknew\tthe\todds\tand\tthe\trisks.\tNow, watching\ther,\the\tknew\tthe\tsacrifice. He'd\tonly\tknown\ther\tbriefly.\tIt\twas\tnecessary,\tvery\tnecessary,\tto\tremind himself\tof\tthat.\tHis\tlife\twasn't\there,\twith\ther.\tHe\thad\ta\thome,\tan\tidentity. He\thad\ta\tfamily,\the\trealized\tnow,\tthat\the\tloved\tmore\tthan\the\thad\tonce comprehended. But\the\tstood\tand\twatched\ther\tas\tthe\tminutes\tticked\taway,\tabsorbing every\tbreath,\tevery\tcareless\tgesture.\tThe\tway\ther\thair\tswept\tover\ther neck,\tthe\tway\ther\tstockinged\tfoot\ttapped\timpatiently\twhen\ther\tfingers paused.\tNow\tand\tthen\tshe\twould\tdrag\ta\thand\tthrough\ther\thair\tor\tcup\ther chin\tin\ther\tpalms\tand\tstare\towlishly\tat\tthe\tscreen.\tHe\tfound\tevery movement\tendearing.\tWhen\the\tfinally\tsaid\ther\tname,\this\tvoice\twas strained. \\\"Libby.\\\"","\\\"Libby.\\\" She\tjolted\tand\tspun\tin\ther\tchair\tto\tstare\tat\thim.\tThe\thallway\twas\tdark behind\thim.\tHe\twas\tjust\ta\tsilhouette,\tpropped\tcasually\tagainst\tthe doorframe.\tLove\tnearly\tsmothered\ther. \\\"Oh.\tI\tdidn't\thear\tyou\tcome\tin.\\\" \\\"You\twere\tpretty\tdeep\tin\tyour\twork.\\\" \\\"I\tguess.\\\"\tWhen\the\tstepped\tinto\tthe\troom,\tthe\tintensity\tin\this\teyes\thad her\tdrawing\ther\tbrows\ttogether.\t\\\"What\tabout\tyours?\tDid\tit\tgo\twell?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\" \\\"You\tlook\tupset.\tIs\tsomething\twrong?\\\" \\\"No.\\\"\tHe\treached\tdown\tto\ttouch\ther\tface,\tand\this\teyes\tsoftened.\t\\\"No.\\\" \\\"Your\tcalculations?\\\" \\\"Coming\talong.\\\"\tHer\tskin\tfelt\tlike\tsilk,\the\tthought,\tand\tit\twarmed\tunder his\ttouch.\t\\\"In\tfact,\tI\tmade\tmore\tprogress\tthan\tI'd\texpected.\\\" \\\"Oh.\\\"\tHe\tthought\the\tsaw\ta\tshadow\tflicker\tin\ther\teyes,\tbut\ther\tvoice\twas bright\tand\tencouraging.\t\\\"That's\tgood.\tDid\tyou\tride\tthe\tcycle\tback?\\\" \\\"Yeah.\tI\tleft\tit\tbehind\tthe\tshed.\\\" It\thad\tbeen\ta\tstupid\tquestion,\tshe\tthought.\tHe\twould\thardly\thave\thiked all\tthe\tway.\tShe\twanted\tto\task\thim\tto\ttake\ther\tup\tagain,\tnow,\twhile\tthe moon\twas\trising.\tThe\twind\twas\talready\tpicking\tup,\twarning\tof\train.\tIt would\tbe\twonderful.\tBut\the\tlooked\ttired,\tand\ttroubled. \\\"Well,\tafter\tall\tthat\tyou\tmust\tbe\thungry.\\\"\tShe\tglanced\taround\tas\tif noticing\tthe\tdark\tfor\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\t\\\"I\thadn't\trealized\tit\twas\tso\tlate.\tWhy don't\tI\tgo\tdown\tand\ttoss\tsomething\ttogether?\\\" \\\"It\tcan\twait.\\\"\tTaking\ther\thand,\the\tdrew\ther\tto\ther\tfeet.\tThe\tmachine continued\tto\thum,\tforgotten\tby\tboth\tof\tthem.\t\\\"We\tcan\tgo\tdown\tlater\tand both\tthrow\tsomething\ttogether.\tI\tlike\tthe\tway\tyou\tlook\tin\tglasses.\\\"","both\tthrow\tsomething\ttogether.\tI\tlike\tthe\tway\tyou\tlook\tin\tglasses.\\\" With\ta\tquick\tlaugh,\tshe\treached\tfor\tthem.\tHe\tcaught\ther\thand\tso\tthat both\tof\thers\twere\ttrapped\tin\this. \\\"No,\tdon't\ttake\tthem\toff.\\\"\tHe\ttilted\this\thead\tto\tkiss\ther,\tas\tif experimenting.\tHer\ttaste\twas\tthe\tsame.\tThank\tGod.\tMost\tof\tthe\ttension dissolved.\t\\\"They\tmake\tyou\tlook-smart\tand\tserious.\\\" Though\ther\theart\twas\talready\tthumping,\tshe\tsmiled.\t\\\"I\tam\tsmart\tand serious.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tI\tsuppose\tyou\tare.\\\"\tHe\tran\this\tthumbs\tover\tthe\tinside\tof\ther\twrists and\tfelt\ther\tpulse\tscramble.\t\\\"The\tway\tyou\tlook\tright\tnow\tmakes\tme\twant to\tsee\tjust\thow\tunintellectual\tI\tcan\tmake\tyou.\\\"\tWith\ttheir\thands\tstill joined,\the\tbent\tto\tkiss\ther,\tholding\thimself\tback,\tteasing\tand\tnibbling\ther lips\tuntil\ther\tbreath\twas\ta\tshudder. \\\"Libby?\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\" \\\"What\tcan\tyou\ttell\tme\tabout\tthe\tmudmen\tof\tNew\tGuinea?\\\" \\\"Nothing.\\\"\tShe\tstrained\tagainst\thim,\tmoaning\ta\tbit\twhen\this\tlips continued\tto\tbrush,\tfeatherlight,\tover\thers.\t\\\"Nothing\tat\tall.\tKiss\tme, Caleb.\\\" \\\"I\tam.\\\"\tHis\tlips\tcruised\tover\ther\tface,\tskimming\there,\tlingering\tthere.\tShe was\tlike\ta\tvolcano,\tawakened\tafter\teons\tof\tsleep,\tready\tto\tburst\tfree,\thot and\tmolten. \\\"Touch\tme.\\\" \\\"I\twill.\\\" It\twas\tnever\twhat\tshe\texpected.\tHe\thad\ther\tteetering\ton\tthe\tedge\twith only\ta\tstroke\tof\this\thands.\tThen,\tas\tshe\ttrembled\tback\tto\tearth,\the began\tto\tundress\ther,\tpeeling\toff\ther\tflannel\tshirt,\ttugging\toff\ther\tjeans, while\tthey\tstood\tbeside\tthe\tbed.\tShe\twore\ta\tnarrow\twhite\tundershirt\tin plain\tcotton.\tIt\tseemed\tto\tfascinate\thim\tas\the\ttoyed\twith\tthe\tstraps,","plain\tcotton.\tIt\tseemed\tto\tfascinate\thim\tas\the\ttoyed\twith\tthe\tstraps, skimmed\this\tfinger\talong\tthe\tlow\tscooped\tneck,\tbefore\the\tslipped\tit\tup and\tover\ther\thead.\tHis\tlips\twere\tnever\tstill,\tnor\twere\this\thands,\twhich roamed\tto\texploit\tall\tthe\tsecrets\the'd\talready\tdiscovered. Delighted,\tdelirious,\tshe\tyanked\this\tsweater\tover\this\thead.\tIt\tamazed\ther that\tthe\tneed\tcould\thave\tsharpened\tand\tgrown,\toutracing\twhat\tshe\thad felt\tfor\thim\tthe\tfirst\ttime.\tNow\tshe\tknew\twhere\the\twould\ttake\ther\tand\thad already\ttraveled\tsome\tof\tthe\troutes\the\tnavigated\tso\texpertly. His\tskin\twas\tsoft,\tsmooth.\tIt\tpleased\ther\tto\trun\ther\thands\tup\tand\tover his\tback\tto\tfeel\tit\tand\tthe\thard\tmuscle\tbeneath.\tThe\tcontrast,\tthe peculiarly\tmasculine\tcontrast,\tmade\ther\tknees\tweak.\tShe\theard\this breath\tquicken\tas\tshe\tstroked\ther\thands\tfrom\tshoulder\tto\twaist. To\tbe\twanted\tthis-desperately.\tShe\tcould\tfeel\tit\tin\tthe\tway\the\ttouched her,\tin\tthe\tway\this\tmouth\tcame\tback\tto\thers\tagain\tand\tagain\tfor\tlonger, deeper,\thungrier\tkisses.\tHis\ttongue\ttangled\twith\thers,\tenticing,\terotic, and\tshe\tfelt\tas\twell\tas\theard\thim\tsuck\tin\this\tbreath\tas\ther\tknuckles grazed\this\tstomach. She\thad\tlearned,\tCal\tthought\tdizzily.\tAnd\tshe\thad\tlearned\tquickly.\tHer hands,\tand\tthe\tgentle\tmovements\tof\ther\tbody\tagainst\this,\twere\tdriving him\tbeyond\treason.\tHe\twanted\tto\ttell\ther\tto\tgive\thim\ta\tmoment,\tto\tgive him\tthe\ttime\the\tneeded\tto\tgain\ta\tfirm,\tlasting\tgrip\ton\tcontrol.\tBut\tit\twas already\ttoo\tlate.\tMuch\ttoo\tlate. He\tdragged\ther\tto\tthe\tbed.\tHer\tgasp\tof\tsurprise\tended\tin\ta\tdark\tmoan\tof pleasure.\tShe\treached\tfor\thim,\tonly\tto\tfind\therself\tgripping\tthe bedclothes\tas\the\twhipped\ther\tover\tthe\tfirst\traw\tedge. She'd\tthought\tshe\tknew\twhat\tloving\twas.\tEven\ta\tnight\tsteeped\tin\tit hadn't\tprepared\ther\tfor\tthis.\tHe\twas\tcrazed,\tand\tin\ta\tmoment\ther madness\tmatched\this. No\tgentle\ttouch,\tno\teasy\tpersuasion.\tIt\twas\tall\thot,\tripe\tneed\tand\ta desperate\trace\tfor\tsatisfaction.\tLike\ttwo\tlost\tsouls,\tthey\trolled\tover\tthe sheets\tand\tdrowned\tin\teach\tother.","A\tdesperate\tdemand.\tA\tfervent\tanswer.\tMurmured\trequests\twere\tfor\tthe sane.\tTonight\tthere\twere\tonly\tbreathless\tmoans\tand\tshuddering\tsighs. Her\tskin\twas\tso\tslick\twith\tthe\theat\tpassion\tpumped\tinto\ther\tthat\tit\tslid sleekly\tover\this.\tEach\ttime\this\tmouth\tfound\thers\tshe\ttasted\tthe\trich, musky\tflavor\tof\tdesire. There\twere\tno\tvelvet\tclouds\tnow,\tbut\ta\tstorm\tbreaking.\tExciting.\tElectric. She\tcould\talmost\thear\tthe\tair\tsinging\twith\tit.\tDrums\tseemed\tto\tpound inside\ther\thead,\tinside\ther\theart,\tbeating\tin\tan\tever-increasing\trhythm. Gulping\tin\tair,\tshe\trolled\tover\thim\tto\tpress\ther\topen\tmouth\tto\this\tthroat, his\tchest,\tknowing\tonly\tthat\this\tflavor\twas\tdark,\trich\tand\twonderful. He\tcouldn't\tget\tenough.\tNo\tmatter\thow\tmuch\tshe\tgave,\the\tneeded\tmore and\tstill\tmore.\tHe\twas\tunaware\tthat\this\tfingers\twere\tdigging\thard\tinto her\tskin,\tbruising,\teven\tas\this\tlips\tfollowed\tthe\ttrail.\tHe\tcould\tsee\ther\tin the\tdim\tlamplight,\tthe\tway\ther\tdamp\tskin\tglowed,\tthe\tway\ther\thead\tfell back\teach\ttime\tpleasure\tovertook\ther.\tHer\teyes\twere\tgold,\tlike\tsome dark,\tancient\tcoin.\tTribute\tfor\ta\tgoddess.\tHe\tthought\tof\ther\tas\tone\tnow, as\tshe\trose\tover\thim,\ther\tbody\tcurved\tback\tlike\ta\tbow,\tthe\tlight\tcasting an\taura\taround\ther\thair. He\tthought\the\twould\tdie\tfor\ther,\tthought\the\twould\tdie\twithout\ther.\tThen she\twas\ttaking\thim\tinto\ther,\tdeeply,\tfully.\tHe\treached\tblindly,\tas\tshe\tdid, and\ttheir\thands\tlinked. Then\tthere\twas\tno\tthought\tat\tall. He\theld\ther\tclose\tlong\tafter\tthe\ttremors\thad\tsubsided\tin\tboth\tof\tthem.\tHe tried\tto\tremember\twhat\the\thad\tdone,\twhat\tshe\thad\tdone,\tbut\tit\twas\tall\ta blur\tof\ttorrential\tsensations\tand\temotions\tthat\thad\tbordered\ton\tthe violent.\tHe\twas\tafraid\the\thad\thurt\ther,\tthat\tnow\tthat\ther\tmind\tand\tbody had\tcooled\tshe\twould\tpull\taway\tfrom\thim\tand\twhat\twas\tinside\thim. \\\"Libby?\\\" Her\tonly\tanswer\twas\ta\tslight\tshifting\tof\ther\thead\tagainst\this\tchest.\tOne of\ther\tgreatest\tpleasures\twas\tfeeling\this\theart\trace\tunder\ther\tcheek. \\\"I'm\tsorry.\\\"\tHe\tstroked\ther\thair,\twondering\tif\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate\tfor","\\\"I'm\tsorry.\\\"\tHe\tstroked\ther\thair,\twondering\tif\tit\twas\ttoo\tlate\tfor tenderness. Her\teyes\topened.\tEven\tthat\teffort\twas\talmost\tmore\tthan\tshe\tcould manage.\tThere\twas\ta\tflicker\tof\tdoubt\tshe\tstruggled\tto\tignore.\t\\\"You\tare?\\\" \\\"Yes.\tI\tdon't\tknow\twhat\thappened.\tI've\tnever\ttreated\tanother\twoman\tlike that.\\\" \\\"You\thaven't?\\\"\tHe\tcouldn't\tsee\tthe\tsmile\tthat\tcurved\ther\tlips. \\\"No.\\\"\tCautious,\tready\tto\trelease\ther\tif\tshe\tjerked\taway,\the\tlifted\ther head.\t\\\"I'd\tlike\tto\tmake\tit\tup\tto\tyou,\\\"\the\tbegan.\tThen\tsaw\tthat\tthe\tglint\tin her\teyes\twas\tnot\ttears\tbut\tlaughter.\t\\\"You're\tsmiling.\\\" \\\"How,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\tkissing\tthe\tbandage\ton\this\tforehead,\t\\\"would\tyou\tlike\tto make\tit\tup\tto\tme?\\\" \\\"I\tthought\tI'd\thurt\tyou.\\\"\tHe\trolled\ther\tover\ton\ther\tback,\tthen\ttook\ta\tgood long\tlook.\tShe\twas\tstill\tsmiling,\tand\ther\teyes\twere\tdark\twith\tcenturies\tof secrets\tonly\twomen\tfully\tunderstood.\t\\\"I\tguess\tnot.\\\" \\\"You\thaven't\tanswered\tmy\tquestion.\\\"\tShe\tstretched,\tnot\tbecause\tshe meant\tto\tentice,\tbut\tbecause\tshe\tfelt\tas\tcontented\tas\ta\tcat\tin\ta sunbeam.\t\\\"How\tare\tyou\tgoing\tto\tmake\tit\tup\tto\tme?\\\" \\\"Well-\\\"\tHe\tglanced\taround\tthe\trumpled\tbed,\tthen\tshimmied\tup\tto\tlook down\tat\tthe\tfloor.\tReaching\tdown,\the\tplucked\tup\ther\tfallen\tglasses.\tHe twirled\tthem\tonce\tby\tthe\tsidepiece,\tthen\tgrinned.\t\\\"Why\tdon't\tyou\tput these\ton,\tand\tI'll\tshow\tyou?\\\"","CHAPTER\t9 Libby\twas\tlingering\tover\ta\tsecond\tcup\tof\tcoffee,\twondering\tif\tbeing\tin love\twas\tdirectly\tconnected\tto\tthe\tdifficulty\tshe\twas\thaving\tfacing\ta\tday cooped\tup\twith\ther\tcomputer.\tShe\trecognized\tthe\tsigns\tof procrastination\tin\tCal,\tas\twell.\tHe\tsat\tacross\tfrom\ther,\tpoking\tat\tthe remains\tof\ther\tbreakfast.\tHe'd\talready\teaten\this\town. More\tthan\tprocrastination,\tshe\tmused.\tHe\tlooked\ttroubled\tagain,\tas\the had\twhen\the'd\tcome\tback\tthe\tnight\tbefore.\tAs\the\thad\tseemed,\tshe thought,\twhen\tthey'd\tfallen\tasleep.\tMore\tthan\tonce\tduring\tthe\tnight,\tand the\tmorning,\tshe'd\tbeen\tcertain\the\twas\tabout\tto\ttell\ther\tsomething. Something\tshe\twas\tafraid\tshe\twould\thate\tto\thear. She\twanted\tto\tfind\ta\tway\tto\tencourage\thim,\tto\tsmooth\tthe\tway\tto\this leaving\ther.\tLove,\tshe\tthought\twith\ta\tsigh,\thad\tmade\ther\tcrazy. The\train\thad\tcome,\tin\ta\tlong,\tquiet\tshower\tthat\thad\tlasted\talmost\tuntil morning.\tNow,\twith\tthe\tsun,\tthe\tlight\twas\tsoft,\tethereal,\tand\tthere\twere pockets\tof\tmist\thugging\tthe\tground. It\twas\ta\tgood\tday\tfor\tmaking\texcuses,\tfor\ttaking\taimless\twalks\tin\tthe woods,\tfor\tmaking\tlazy\tlove\tunder\ta\tquilt.\tBut\tthinking\tlike\tthat,\tLibby reminded\therself,\twouldn't\thelp\tCal\tfind\this\tway\thome. \\\"You'd\tbetter\tget\tstarted.\\\"\tIt\twas\ta\tgentle\tnudge,\toffered\twithout enthusiasm. \\\"Yeah.\\\"\tHe\twould\trather\thave\tsat\twhere\the\twas,\tignoring\treality.\tInstead, he\tstood\tand,\tgiving\ther\ta\tquick\tkiss,\twalked\tto\tthe\tback\tdoor.\tWhen\the opened\tit,\tthe\tkitchen\tfilled\twith\tbirdsong.\t\\\"I\twas\tthinking\tI'd\ttake\ta\tbreak during\tthe\tafternoon.\tMaybe\tcome\tback\tfor\tlunch.\tI'm\tgetting\tso\tI\tcan't stomach\tthe\tstores\ton\tthe\tship.\\\"\tIt\twas\tmore\tthat\the\tcouldn't\tstand\tbeing away\tfrom\ther,\tbut\tshe\tsmiled,\ttaking\thim\tat\this\tword. \\\"Okay.\\\"\tAlready\tthe\tday\tseemed\tbrighter.\t\\\"If\tI'm\tnot\tslaving\tover\ta\thot stove,\tI'll\tbe\tupstairs\tworking.\\\"","It\tseemed\tso\tnormal,\tLibby\tthought\twhen\the\tclosed\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\thim, to\tpart\tin\tthe\tmorning\twith\tan\teasy\tkiss\tand\tplans\tto\tmeet\tfor\tlunch.\tThat was\tprobably\tbest,\tshe\tdecided\tafter\tshe\ttopped\toff\ther\tcup\tand\ttook\tit upstairs\twith\ther.\tThere\twas\tcertainly\tlittle\telse\tabout\ttheir\trelationship that\tanyone\twould\thave\tcalled\tnormal. She\tworked\twell\tinto\tthe\tafternoon,\tblaming\ther\tedginess\ton\tthe\tcaffeine. She\tdidn't\twant\tto\tdwell\ton\tthe\tfact\tthat\tCal\thad\tseemed\ttoo\tquiet,\ttoo thoughtful,\tthat\tmorning.\tThey\tboth\thad\ta\tlot\ton\ttheir\tminds.\tAnd,\tshe reminded\therself,\the\twould\tbe\tback\tsoon.\tSince\tit\twould\tbe\ta\thabit\tsoon broken,\tshe\tdecided\tto\tcut\ther\town\twork\tshort\tto\tgo\tdown\tand\tfix\thim something\tspecial\tfor\tlunch.\tWhen\tshe\treached\tthe\tbase\tof\tthe\tstairs, she\theard\tthe\tsound\tof\ta\tcar. Visitors\tweren't\tjust\trare\tat\tthe\tcabin,\tthey\twere\tnonexistent.\tFeeling equal\tparts\tsurprise\tand\tannoyance,\tshe\topened\tthe\tfront\tdoor. \\\"Oh,\tmy\tGod.\\\"\tNow\tit\twas\tall\tsurprise,\twith\ta\thealthy\tdose\tof\ttrepidation. \\\"Mom!\tDad!\\\"\tThen\tit\twas\tlove,\twaves\tof\tit,\tas\tshe\trushed\tout\tto\tgreet\ther parents.\tThey\tstepped\tout\tfrom\teither\tside\tof\ta\tsmall,\tbattered\tpickup. \\\"Liberty.\\\"\tCaroline\tStone\twelcomed\ther\tdaughter\twith\ta\tthroaty\tlaugh\tand a\ttheatrical\tspread\tof\ther\tarms.\tShe\twas\tdressed\talmost\tidentically\tto Libby,\tin\tfaded\tjeans\tand\ta\tchunky,\thip-grazing\tsweater.\tBut,\tunlike Libby's\tplain\tred\twool,\tCaroline's\twas\ta\tsymphony\tof\thues\tand\ttones\tshe had\twoven\therself.\tShe\twore\ttwo\tjet-black\tdrop\tearrings-in\tthe\tsame\tear- and\ta\tnecklace\tof\ttourmaline\tthat\tglittered\tin\tthe\tlight. Libby\tkissed\tCaroline's\tsmooth,\tunpowdered\tcheek.\t\\\"Mom!\tWhat\tare\tyou doing\there?\\\" \\\"I\tused\tto\tlive\there,\\\"\tshe\treminded\tLibby,\tthen\tkissed\ther\tagain\twhile William\tstood\tback\tand\tgrinned.\tThey\twere\ttwo\tof\tthe\tthree\tmost important\twomen\tin\this\tlife.\tThough\tthey\twere\ta\tgeneration\tapart,\the noted\twith\tpride\tthat\this\twife\tlooked\thardly\tolder\tthan\this\tdaughter.\tTheir coloring\tand\tbuild\twas\tso\tsimilar\tthat\tmore\toften\tthan\tnot\tthey\twere mistaken\tfor\tsisters. \\\"What\tam\tI?\\\"\the\tdemanded.\t\\\"Part\tof\tthe\tscenery?\\\"\tHe\tspun\tLibby\taround","\\\"What\tam\tI?\\\"\the\tdemanded.\t\\\"Part\tof\tthe\tscenery?\\\"\tHe\tspun\tLibby\taround for\tone\tof\this\thard,\tswaying\thugs.\t\\\"My\tbaby,\\\"\the\tsaid,\tand\tgave\ther\ta loud,\tsmacking\tkiss.\t\\\"The\tscientist.\\\" \\\"My\tdaddy,\\\"\tshe\tresponded\tin\tkind,\t\\\"the\texecutive.\\\" He\twinced\tjust\ta\tlittle.\t\\\"Don't\tlet\tit\tget\taround.\tSo,\tlet\tme\tget\ta\tlook\tat you.\\\" Grinning,\tLibby\ttook\ther\town\tsurvey.\tHe\tstill\twore\this\thair\ttoo\tlong\tto\tbe conservative,\tthough\tthere\twas\ta\tsprinkle\tof\tsilver\tin\tthe\tdark\tblond waves,\tand\ta\tbit\tmore\tdashed\tthrough\this\tbeard.\tBoth\twere\ttrimmed\tnow by\ta\tbarber\twith\ta\tFrench\taccent,\tbut\tlittle\telse\tabout\tWilliam\tStone\thad changed.\tHe\twas\tstill\tthe\tman\tshe\tremembered,\tthe\tman\twho\thad carried\ther\tpapoose-style\tthrough\tthe\tforest. He\twas\ttall,\tand\tat\tbest\the\twould\tbe\tconsidered\tstringy.\tLong\tlegs\tand arms\tgave\thim\ta\tgangly\tlook. His\tface\twas\tgaunt,\this\tcheekbones\tsunken.\tHis\teyes\twere\ta\tdeep,\tpure gray\tthat\tpromised\thonesty. \\\"So?\\\"\tLibby\tturned\tin\ta\tsaucy\tcircle.\t\\\"What\tdo\tyou\tthink?\\\" \\\"Not\ttoo\tbad.\\\"\tHe\tslipped\tan\tarm\taround\tCaroline's\tshoulders.\tTogether they\tlooked\tas\tthey\talways\thad.\tUnited.\t\\\"We\tdid\ta\tpretty\tgood\tjob\ton\tthe first\ttwo,\tCaro.\\\" \\\"You\tdid\tan\texcellent\tjob,\\\"\tLibby\tcorrected.\tThen\tshe\tstopped.\t\\\"First two?\\\" \\\"You\tand\tSunbeam,\tlove.\\\"\tWith\tan\teasy\tsmile,\tCaroline\treached\tin\tthe back\tof\tthe\tpickup.\t\\\"Why\tdon't\twe\tget\tthe\tgroceries\tinside?\\\" \\\"But\tI-Groceries.\\\"\tBiting\ther\tlip,\tLibby\twatched\ther\tparents\tpull\tout\tbags. Several\tbags.\tShe\thad\tto\ttell\tthem-something.\t\\\"I'm\tso\thappy\tto\tsee\tboth of\tyou.\\\"\tShe\tgrunted\ta\tbit\twhen\ther\tfattier\tset\ttwo\theavy\tbrown\tsacks\tin her\tarms.\t\\\"And\tI'd\tlike\tto-that\tis,\tI\tshould\ttell\tyou\tthat\tI'm\tnot-alone.\\\" \\\"That's\tnice.\\\"\tAbsently\tWilliam\tpulled\tout\tanother\tsack.\tHe\twondered\tif his\twife\thad\tnoticed\tthe\tbag\tof\tbarbecued\tpotato\tchips\the'd\tstashed","his\twife\thad\tnoticed\tthe\tbag\tof\tbarbecued\tpotato\tchips\the'd\tstashed inside.\tOf\tcourse\tshe\thad,\the\tthought.\tShe\tnever\tmissed\tanything.\t\\\"We always\tlike\tto\tmeet\tyour\tfriends,\tbaby.\\\" \\\"Yes,\tI\tknow,\tbut\tthis\tone-\\\" \\\"Caro,\ttake\tthat\tone\talong\tinside.\tOne's\tenough\tfor\tyou\tto\tcarry.\\\" \\\"Dad.\\\"\tSeeing\tno\tother\tway,\tLibby\tblocked\ther\tfather's\tprogress.\tShe snagged\ther\tlip\tagain\twhen\tshe\theard\tthe\tdoor\tswing\topen\tand\tshut behind\ther\tmother.\t\\\"I\treally\tshould\texplain.\\\"\tExplain\twhat,\tshe wondered?\tAnd\thow? \\\"I'm\tlistening,\tLibby,\tbut\tthese\tbags\tare\tgetting\theavy.\\\"\tHe\tshifted\tthem. \\\"Must\tbe\tall\tthe\ttofu.\\\" \\\"It's\tabout\tCaleb.\\\" That\tcaught\this\tattention.\t\\\"Caleb\twho?\\\" \\\"Hornblower.\tCaleb\tHornblower.\tHe's-here,\\\"\tshe\tmanaged\tweakly.\t\\\"With me.\\\" William\tcocked\tone\tgently\tarched\tbrow.\t\\\"Oh,\treally?\\\" The\tman\tin\tquestion\tparked\this\tcycle\tbehind\tthe\tshed\tand,\tlecturing himself,\tstrode\ttoward\tthe\thouse.\tThere\twas\tnothing\twrong\tin\ttaking\tan afternoon\tbreak.\tIn\tany\tcase,\tthe\tcomputer\twas\thard\tat\twork\teven\tin\this absence.\tHe'd\tcompleted\tmost\tof\tthe\tmajor\trepairs\tto\tthe\tship,\tand\tin another\tday,\ttwo\tat\tthe\tmost,\tit\twould\tbe\tready\tfor\tflight. If\the\twanted\tto\tspend\tan\textra\thour\tor\tso\twith\ta\tbeautiful,\texciting woman,\the\twas\tentitled.\tHe\twasn't\tdragging\this\theels.\tHe\twasn't\tin\tlove with\ther. And\tthe\tsun\trevolved\taround\tthe\tplanets. Swearing\tunder\this\tbreath,\the\twalked\tthrough\tthe\topen\tback\tdoor.\tJust seeing\ther\tmade\thim\tsmile.\tEven\tif\the\tcould\tonly\tsee\ther\tsmall,\tnicely rounded\tbottom\tas\tshe\trummaged\tin\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\trefrigerator.","rounded\tbottom\tas\tshe\trummaged\tin\tthe\tbottom\tof\tthe\trefrigerator. His\tmood\tlifting,\the\twalked\tquietly\tover\tto\tgrab\ther\tfirmly,\tintimately,\tby the\thips. \\\"Babe,\tI\tcan\tnever\tmake\tup\tmy\tmind\twhich\tside\tof\tyou\tI\tlike\tbest.\\\" \\\"Caleb!\\\" The\tastonished\texclamation\tcame\tnot\tfrom\tthe\twoman\the'd\tonly\tjust turned\tinto\this\tarms\tbut\tfrom\tthe\tkitchen\tdoorway.\tHis\thead\twhipped around,\tand\the\tstared\tat\tLibby,\twho\twas\tgaping,\twide-eyed,\tfrom\tacross the\troom,\ther\tarms\tfull\tof\tbrown\tbags.\tBeside\ther\tstood\ta\ttall,\tthin\tman who\twas\teyeing\thim\twith\tobvious\tdislike. Slowly\tCaleb\tturned\tback\tto\tsee\tthat\the\twas\tembracing\tan\tequally attractive,\tif\tsomewhat\tolder,\twoman\tthan\tthe\tone\the'd\texpected. \\\"Hello,\\\"\tshe\tsaid,\tand\tsmiled\tquite\tbeautifully.\t\\\"You\tmust\tbe\tLibby's friend.\\\" \\\"Yes.\\\"\tHe\tmanaged\tto\tclear\this\tthroat.\t\\\"I\tmust\tbe.\\\" \\\"You\tmight\twant\tto\tlet\tgo\tof\tmy\twife,\\\"\tWilliam\ttold\thim.\t\\\"So\tthat\tshe\tcan close\tthe\trefrigerator.\\\" \\\"I\tbeg\tyour\tpardon.\\\"\tHe\ttook\ta\tlong\tand\tvery\thasty\tstep\tback.\t\\\"I\tthought you\twere\tLibby.\\\" \\\"Are\tyou\tin\tthe\thabit\tof\tgrabbing\tmy\tdaughter\tby\tthe-\\\" \\\"Dad.\\\"\tLibby\tcut\thim\toff\tas\tshe\tdumped\tthe\tbags\ton\tthe\ttable.\tAs beginnings\twent,\tshe\tthought,\tthis\tone\twas\thardly\tauspicious.\t\\\"This\tis Caleb\tHornblower.\tHe's-staying\twith\tme\tfor\ta\twhile.\tCal,\tthese\tare\tmy parents,\tWilliam\tand\tCaroline\tStone.\\\" Terrific.\tSince\the\tdidn't\tthink\the\tcould\tmanage\tto\thave\this\tmolecules reappear\tin\ta\tdifferent\tlocation,\the\tfigured\the'd\tbetter\tface\tthe\tmusic. \\\"Nice\tto\tmeet\tyou.\\\"\tHe\tfound\tthat\tthe\tbest\tplace\tfor\this\thands\twas\this pockets.\t\\\"Libby\tlooks\ta\tgreat\tdeal\tlike\tyou.\\\"","\\\"So\tI've\tbeen\ttold.\\\"\tCaroline\tbeamed\tanother\tsmile\tat\thim.\t\\\"Though never\tquite\tin\tthat\tway.\\\"\tWanting\tto\tlet\thim\toff\tthe\thook,\tshe\toffered\thim a\thand.\t\\\"Will,\twhy\tdon't\tyou\tput\tthose\tbags\tdown\tand\tsay\thello\tto\tLibby's friend?\\\" He\ttook\this\ttime\tabout\tit.\tWilliam\twanted\tto\tsize\tthe\tman\tup.\tGood- looking\tenough,\the\tsupposed.\tStrong\tfeatures,\tsteady\teyes.\tTime\twould tell.\t\\\"Hornblower,\tis\tit?\\\"\tWilliam\twas\tpleased\tthat\tCal's\tgrip\twas\tcool\tand firm. \\\"Yes.\\\"\tIt\twas\tthe\tfirst\ttime\the'd\tbeen\tweighed\tand\tmeasured\tso thoroughly\tsince\the'd\tenlisted\tin\tthe\tISF.\t\\\"Should\tI\tapologize\tagain?\\\" \\\"Once\twas\tprobably\tenough.\\\"\tBut\tWilliam\theld\this\topinion\ton\tthe\trest\tin reserve. \\\"I\twas\tjust\tabout\tto\tmake\tlunch.\\\"\tShe\thad\tto\tdo\tsomething,\tLibby thought,\tto\tkeep\teveryone\tbusy\tuntil\tshe'd\tworked\tout\ta\tsolution. \\\"Good\tidea.\\\"\tCaroline\tpulled\tfresh\tcauliflower\tout\tof\ta\tbag.\tShe'd\tfound the\tchips,\tand\ta\tjar\tof\tpickled\thot\tsausages\tWilliam\thad\tsmuggled\tin. \\\"But\tI'll\tmake\tit.\tWhy\tdon't\tyou\tgive\tme\ta\thand,\tWilliam?\\\" \\\"But\tI-\\\" \\\"Brew\tsome\ttea,\\\"\tshe\tsuggested. \\\"I'd\tlove\tsome\ttea,\\\"\tLibby\tsaid,\tknowing\tit\twas\ta\tsure\tway\tto\ther\tfather's heart.\tShe\ttook\tCal\tby\tthe\thand.\t\\\"We'll\tbe\tright\tback.\\\"\tThe\tmoment\tthey were\tin\tthe\tliving\troom,\tshe\tturned\ton\thim.\t\\\"What\tare\twe\tgoing\tto\tdo?\\\" \\\"About\twhat?\\\" With\ta\tsound\tof\tdisgust,\tLibby\tpaced\ttoward\tthe\tfireplace.\t\\\"I've\tgot\tto\ttell them\tsomething,\tand\tit\tcan\thardly\tbe\tthat\tyou've\tjust\tdropped\tin\tfrom\tthe twenty-third\tcentury.\\\" \\\"No,\tI'd\tjust\tas\tsoon\tyou\tdidn't.\\\" \\\"But\tI\tnever\tlie\tto\tthem.\\\"\tTorn,\tLibby\tpoked\ta\tcharred\tlog\twith\ther\ttoe.\t\\\"I","\\\"But\tI\tnever\tlie\tto\tthem.\\\"\tTorn,\tLibby\tpoked\ta\tcharred\tlog\twith\ther\ttoe.\t\\\"I can't.\\\" He\twalked\tover\tto\tcup\ther\tchin\tin\this\thand.\t\\\"Leaving\tout\ta\tfew\tsmall details\tisn't\tlying.\\\" \\\"Small\tdetails?\tLike\tthe\tfact\tthat\tyou\tcame\tvisiting\tin\ta\tspaceship?\\\" \\\"For\tone.\\\" She\tclosed\ther\teyes.\tIt\tshould\tbe\tfunny.\tMaybe\tit\twould\tbe\tin\tfive\tor\tten years.\t\\\"Hornblower,\tthis\tsituation\twould\tbe\tawkward\tenough\twithout\tthe added\tbonus\tof\tyou\tbeing\tfrom\twhere-make\tthat\twhen-you\tare.\\\" \\\"What\tsituation?\\\" She\ttried\tnot\tto\tgrind\ther\tteeth.\t\\\"They're\tmy\tparents,\tthis\tis\ttheir\thouse, and\tyou\tand\tI\tare-\\\"\tShe\tmade\ta\tcircling\tgesture\twith\ther\thand. \\\"Lovers,\\\"\the\tsupplied. \\\"Will\tyou\tkeep\tyour\tvoice\tdown?\\\" Patient,\the\tlaid\this\thands\ton\ther\tshoulders,\tgently\tkneading.\t\\\"Libby,\tthey probably\tfigured\tthat\tout\twhen\tI\talmost\tkissed\tyour\tmother\tin\tthe refrigerator.\\\" \\\"About\tthat-\\\" \\\"I\tthought\tshe\twas\tyou.\\\" \\\"I\tknow.\tStill-\\\" \\\"Libby,\tI\trealize\tit\twasn't\tthe\tmost\ttraditional\tway\tto\tmeet\tyour\tparents, but\tI\tthink\tthat\tof\tthe\tfour\tof\tus\tI\twas\tthe\tmost\tsurprised.\\\" She\tcouldn't\thelp\tchuckling.\t\\\"Maybe.\\\" \\\"Absolutely.\tSo\tI\tthink\twe\tshould\tjust\tget\ton\tto\tthe\tnext\tstep.\\\" \\\"Which\tis?\\\""]
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